Nomination fees

Nomination fees to be paid at BSP bank

Concerned returning officers said no cash will be taken in at nominating offices for candidates to file their nominations.

Returning Officer for Rigo, Virgil Waisa said these are strict instructions coming from the Electoral Commission since the issuing of writs last Thursday.

All monies should be deposited into the Electoral Commission Trust Account at BSP Boroko branch: Account number 1000489658.

“We will only accept BSP deposit slips showing the amount paid in full which we will keep for record for the Electoral Commission,” Waisa said.

Political parties demand withdrawal of proposed increased nomination fees

The party secretaries had a meeting on December 2 at the Office of the Registry of Political Parties and Candidate Commission and came up with the communique.

The meeting was chaired by Pangu Pati General Secretary Morris Tovebae.

In a press conference today in Port Moresby, Tovebae said the rights of the persons to contest to promote free, fair and safe 2017 National elections is being infringed with the proposed increase of the nomination fees.

Proposed increased election nomination fee unfair: Opposition

Opposition Leader Don Polye in a packed media conference today said the amended OLNLLGE will limit ability of many citizens to be candidates in the 2017 elections.

Polye, supported by other affiliated party secretaries argued that the proposed amended OLNLLGE will also limit the citizen’s rights to appeal against a corrupt election.

He further reiterated that the schedule for the proposed amendment was also tight.

Opposition to Challenge Increase in Nomination Fees

Opposition Leader, Don Polye said they would take the matter to the Supreme Court if the government uses its numerical strength to bulldoze the bill through in Parliament.

Given that K400 million was allocated for the General Elections in the 2017 Budget, he questions why the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is proposing what he described as ‘unconstitutional and draconian law to cripple a certain group of people.’

“We will challenge this matter in court if passed in Parliament.

Juffa calls on Government to reconsider nomination fees

He said the increased nomination fees will no way improve the quality of leaders in Parliament.

Juffa told Loop PNG that instead a vetting process should be put in place to screen applicants and ensure that credible leaders with a high sense of patriotic fervor and morals and ethics be encouraged to run.

He said anyone who had a criminal past with a conviction should immediately be disqualified as should those involved in scams and inquiries who had not had their names cleared by the justice system.