2017 PNG National Elections

A number factors will play a critical and crucial role in who will be the eventual winner in this race.

The incumbent Governor Parkop has a head start with all the programs he has instituted during his tenure in the capital city.

However, the voting population would have increased over the past five years, not only in NCD but all around the country. Whether new voters have registered will be a major problem. The number of candidates increased by 11 from 27 in the 2012 election to 38 candidates, this will surely see a split of votes.

Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru is optimistic many of the sitting Members of Parliament will be returned to form the government in July.    

“I have absolutely no doubt, PNC has 60 members (MPs), even if we lose half and 30 of the current members win, PNC will form the government again,” Maru told Loop PNG.

The local MP for Yangoru – Saussia is over confident that he had done enough to be given the mandate to return for his second term.       

Another 47 candidates have been nominated to contest for Kikori Open electorate and 50 candidates have been nominated to contest for the Kerema open electorate.

This brings the number of candidates nominated up to 144 in total.

Candidate box numbers were drawn at the Kerema Town Basketball court yesterday which saw candidates present pick up their box numbers.

An updated list of all the candidates will be released soon with the names of candidates and their designated box numbers.

Contesting the same seat also are other big names like Ila Geno, Rigo Lua, Philomena Kassman.

Also back in the run is former governor Alphones Moroi.

The 36 candidates were issued their box numbers yesterday. See in table below is the order of draw:

Draws have been done and the table below shows your candidates and the ballot box numbers they have been allocated this election.
 

Party leader and former secretary for Planning Dr Peter Kora told Loop PNG that the party policies are designed to benefit the people and the economy of this country.

Dr Kora said the party has been very vocal in selecting their candidates and is confident that all their candidates will make it through.

He called on Commissioner, Patilius Gamato, to identify polling places which had attracted election petitions in the last three terms due to hijacking of ballot boxes and papers, and engage helicopters to transport ballot boxes.

Malu was brought to nominate ferried on a traditional platform and then shifted to a dugout outrigger canoe to the nomination grandstand accompanied by a good crowd.

Cheering and singing, dancers and supporters came all the way from Talasea to Bialla and even the oil palm settlements.

In his maiden speech, the young contender said he will be a servant for his people.

"I want to clean your houses or wipe off dust from its louvres...and dislike being looked upon as an educated elite," he said.

 Nominations at Kimbe ended on a very peaceful note.

More than 10,000 people came in truckloads and buses to witness the occasion.

Timah is confident to win the seat currently held by Johnson Tuke.

“I want to change Kainantu and make it a role model in the country.

“My people have been neglected for the past years and now is the time to give them what they deserve.”

With a Masters degree in Business management, Timah said the people of Kainantu deserve better as they are the economic corridor to the other Highlands provinces.

He is contesting under the PNG Socialist Party.

The Electoral Commission says these are just preliminary figures which will be confirmed and announced by Commissioner Patilias Gamato on Monday.

The Highlands region has the highest number of candidates 852 candidates contesting the 40 seats, Momase region has 719 candidates contesting the 30 seats.

Southern region’s 23 seats will be contested by 716 candidates while in the New Guinea Islands region, 328 will be running for the 17 seats.

East New Britain has 81, Autonomous Region of Bougainville 73, West New Britain 68, Manus 60 and New Ireland 46.