Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato has clarified the confusion surrounding the total number of writs that will be issued for the 2017 National Election, which the Governor General will sign on April 20, 2017 to signal the official commencement of the election program. He clarified that the Governor General will issue a total of 111 election writs and not 666 writs.

First level training for all Election Managers and Returning Officers for the 2017 National General Election commenced this week in different venues in the four regions. Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said that this training is to prepare them to accept nominations from intending candidates when the 2017 election writs are issued April 20.

The PNG Electoral Commission today (Wednesday, March 29, 2017) launched its voter awareness and education materials for the 2017 National Election which included 14 new graphic products which include posters, flyers and booklets that will be distributed to all the 22 provinces, posters, electoral song and video clip. Chief Secretary to Government Ambassador Isaac Lupari officially launched the awareness materials.

Police in Eastern Highlands have launched their pre-election awareness campaign to target every community in the eight districts of the province. Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Alex N'Drasal launched the awareness campaign in Goroka last week. N'Drasal said it was very important that the police conveyed messages to ensure a free, fair and transparent election.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato has expressed grave concern that a total of K20 million of election funds has been removed from Electoral Commission’s account and diverted to fund the government’s free education policy. A total of K40 million was released by the Finance Department last week to PNGEC’s account but only K20 million was uploaded while the other K20 million was removed.

The legislative amendment bill to make changes to election laws has successfully passed the first hurdle in Parliament yesterday (February 1, 2017) when it was tabled by the Prime Minister, Peter O'Neil, who is also the Minister responsible for PNG Electoral Commission Peter O'Neil. In the first required vote Parliament voted 74-14 for the changes. Only two members of the ruling PNC-led coalition government voted against the bill.