Any decision by Government to create new electorates with one month of the issue of writs for the 2022 National General Elections, is irresponsible and will adversely impact both the governance and the administration of the elections, says Transparency International PNG (TIPNG).
This statement was made in light of media reports stating that the Government would be tabling a report advocating the creation of seven new electorates as Parliament resumes this week.
“Papua New Guineans expect our elected representatives to uphold the democratic ideals that underpin our National Constitution. A decision by parliament to create new electorates in the absence of reliable census data, with no gazettal notices, proper broad public consultation as required by the law and with no consideration for the administrative implications in the coming elections is highly irresponsible,” said Peter Aitsi, Board Chair of TIPNG in a media statement.
“The voting public are right to wonder, if such a decision at this time is really serving the national interest? We urge our Government not to rush through this process, as they stand the risk of their actions being viewed as creating these new political boundaries purely for political convenience to secure numbers,” said Mr. Aitsi.
Under section 36 of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Elections, the boundaries of an open electorate are drawn or revised taking into consideration; the population density; physical features and communications; existing electoral boundaries; Local Level & Provincial Governments and other administrative areas; and community and diversity of interest where it is considered relevant to do so.
Under section 41(1) of the organic law, parliament has a time frame of two months to consider the recommendations and it may do any one of the following by way of resolution:
• Accept the recommendation wholly; or
• Reject the recommendation wholly; or
• Reject the recommendation and refer specific matters for reconsideration by the commission
TIPNG is calling on the Government to instead focus its attention on addressing the administrative requirements to deliver an effective, free, fair and safe 2022 National General Elections.
The introduction of any new electorates would present a significant operational nightmare for the PNG Electoral Commission and Security Forces given the time left to recruit additional manpower, survey polling sites, counting venues and printing of ballot papers.