Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission

Issues addressed in this update statement include an update on number of Writs Returned, issue of invitation to form government, response to Dr. Eric Kwa, Gumine Open Seat issue, Southern Highlands Provincial Seat issue and counting for Kandep Open Seat.

As Election Commissioner, it gives me great pride today to return the writs to the Head of State, His Excellency the Governor General Sir Bob Dadae. Today I have returned 77 writs to the Governor General. In all, 86 electorates have been declared with a further 25 remaining to be declared. The remainder should be completed soon.

Supporters of losing candidates have been strongly urged to respect the choices and wishes of the people in the electorate and refrain from engaging in violence to demonstrate their dissatisfaction about the election outcomes. This follows incidents of violence in some electorates resulting in deaths, injuries and destruction to properties in at least five electorates.

The Governor General Sir Bob Dadae has granted four days extension to the return of writs date which is today, Monday 24 July to Friday 28 July. As of today only 51 of the total 111 seats of Parliament had been declared nationwide.

In my letter dated Friday 14 July 2017 to the Returning Officer for North Waghi Open electorate Mr. Andrew Kulangi, I have given directives for the six (6) disputed ballot boxes from the Kerowil polling venue in North Waghi to be admitted for scrutiny or counting.

Since my last media statement yesterday, Wednesday, 12 July 2017, counting in most of the electorates across the country are progressing well with some petitions and complains stopping and delaying the counts. Let me say that counting and tallying of results are very important to the electoral process.