Elections

High Voter Turnout In PNG

UPNG Economics lecturer, Mahopa Laveil, based on research and revealed this at the PNG Elections Series presentation. He said the 2022 voter turnout of 109 per cent is fraudulent.

PNG’s voter turnout of 90 percent was the highest in Melanesia, with Solomon Island’s voter turnout at 80 percent, Vanuatu’s voter turnout at 80 percent, and Fiji’s voter turnout at 73 percent.

PNG’s voter turnout of 90 percent was the highest in Melanesia, with Solomon Island’s voter turnout at 80 percent, Vanuatu’s voter turnout at 80 percent, and Fiji’s voter turnout at 73 percent.

Morobe update: Over 70 nominate on day 6

Among the 78 that nominated for the 11 seats in Morobe were an additional three regional candidates, bringing the total number of regional candidates to 33, compared to only 25 in the 2017 general elections.

Former Bulolo MP, Samson Napo, has now raised his hand to contest the regional seat under the People’s Progress Party.

The 69-year-old, who is from Buang, contested for the Bulolo Open seat in the 2017 elections as an independent candidate.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese to be sworn in as Australia's new prime minister

The weekend's election result has the Liberal Party on the hunt for a new leader, with Peter Dutton emerging as the most likely replacement for Scott Morrison.

Mr Albanese will be sworn in with his deputy, Richard Marles, and frontbenchers Penny Wong, Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher.

He and Senator Wong, the incoming foreign affairs minister, will fly to Japan later today to meet with the leaders of the Quad — the United States, India and Japan.

Public Warned To Remain COVID Vigilant

They engage in all sorts of campaign activities with unhealthy foods consumed and amid the excitement are unwarranted activities going on. The result could be deadly.

These were the warnings by the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Director for Public Health Services, Dr. Max Manape, when officiating the closing Trainers of Trainers (ToT) workshop for COVID-19 routine immunization at Aiyura, Obura/Wonenara district.

13 Nominate For Namatanai Open

Namatanai Open Returning Officer, Tifi Taylor told this newsroom that the 13 candidates nominated in Namatanai town. Each nominee came with two witnesses.

Sitting MP Walter Schnaubelt running under the National Alliance Party, also nominated, as well as former Namatanai MP Byron Chan, who nominated under the People’s Progress Party. One of the 13 is female candidate, Gerthude Sialir. Mrs Sialir is running as an independent candidate. 

The Returning Officer said as off midday yesterday, no candidate approached the nomination grounds.

RO Appointment Petitioned

A protest was held in Wabag town this morning calling for the PNG Electoral Commission to revoke the appointment of Ignas Nembo as RO.
 
Candidates allege that Nembo is related to sitting MP, Dr Lino Tom, which gives rise to a potential conflict of interest.
 
Iamau told the group that he will forward their petition to the PNGEC immediately, stressing that only the EC has the power to make decisions.
 
"The appointment of ROs occurs after they send an application," said the election manager. 
 

PNGEC Prepares for recount

Court has ordered the electoral commission present their plans and budget.

Mr Sinai said on Friday 27th August that he approved the appointments of the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers for the recount exercise.

The Acting Commissioner confirmed that ballot boxes have arrived in Mendi. The PNGEC are working with relevant partners such as the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) for election operations.

He also stated that the venue is yet to be decided.

Sinai said, “Venue to be in one of these places, Hagen or Goroka.”

PNG, where voter turnout is too high

In 2017, approximately 90 percent of the estimated voting-age population cast a vote, despite PNG not having compulsory voting. This could be a sign that people in PNG are enthusiastic about participating in elections, or it could point to electoral problems.

In my previous blog post, I wrote about roll inflation and the potential that came with it for electoral fraud.

No direct election of LLG presidents: Gamato

He made it very clear that the Electoral Commission will only conduct elections for ward members when ward electorate writs are issued by Inter-Government Relations Minister Kevin Isifu on 25 April 2019.

“In short, PNGEC will only conduct elections for ward members based on and in compliance with the relevant organic laws and legal instruments currently in effect,” he said in a statement.

“Our preparations for 2019 LLG ward member elections are currently in advanced stage exactly four weeks prior to the issue of writs as of today, 25 March 2019.

Watchdog queries deferral of LLG elections

The Ombudsman Commission filed the special constitutional reference in the Supreme Court to find out whether section 34 of the Organic Law on the Provincial and Local Level Government, allows for a deferral of the LLG elections to more than three months. This is after the date of the return of writs for the National General election.