Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission

The Commission’s Director for Funding of Disclosure, John Bishop said 105 MPs have submitted their returns, 12 have yet to submit and are expecting 117 election returns from MPs.

He provided this insight during the presentation of funds to the Political Parties today.

Mr Bishop said: “Political parties are very poor and is less than 20 that have submitted their election returns despite us having 53 political parties.”

The two members are:

1. Ms. Theresa Jaintong, OBE representing the National Council of Women, and,
2. Rev. Roger Joseph representing PNG Council of Churches.

Their appointment as members representing their respective organisations to the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission is in accordance with the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates.

These positions became vacant due to the passing of the Churches Representative and the resignation of the Women’s Representative in the Commission.

The Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission this week approved the applications of seven new political parties.

Gelu said the timing of registration of these new parties poses a challenge for them.

The parties now have only a month to tell the people about themselves including their policies.

They have to compete with well-established political parties such as People’s National Congress (PNC), National Alliance (NA), Pangu, National Party, United Party and PNG Party.

The seven political parties were presented with their certificates today alongside two other parties that were already approved.

The new parties are Paradise Kingdom Party, PNG First Party, Model Nation Party, Trust PNG Party, PNG Youths Party, Nations Interest Party and PNG Social Party.

The two other parties that were present to receive their certificates were PNG Human Rights Party and Wantok in Godly Services.

Registrar of Political Parties, Dr Alphonse Gelu, says to this day he still does not know some of the political party executives by face.

He says a one day forum will be held in Port Moresby for political parties who have representatives in parliament, and that is to know all the party executives.

“The reason why we are having this one day forum is for me to meet all the presidents, treasurers, and secretaries of political parties.

“You know we pay these guys every fortnight  and I don’t even know their faces,” he said.