After a very controversial 2022 National General Elections, accredited domestic observer Transparency International PNG have released their observations on the highly criticized election.
The Report was a compilation of observations done throughout the country by 340 observers across 20 provinces in the country with a summary paper released in September soon after.
TIPNG Deputy Director-Partnerships and Policy, Yuambari Haihuie, yesterday presented the much anticipated findings to Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai and Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee, East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird.
While presenting the findings, Haihuie gave a brief overview of how TIPNG came about the formulation of the report. “In terms of data collection method, there were two survey instruments that were used.
The primary one was the Polling Place Questionnaire,” Haihuie stated. The observations were mostly focused specifically during the polling period.
He explained that the other survey tool used was the Voter Survey, which had a set of questions looking at issues that occurred impacting voter’s ability to cast their preferences.
“TIPNG has done this since 2007 and this is our 4th consecutive domestic observation and we’ve done this with partnership from the PNG EC,” he said.
According to the report, many areas of concern were flagged, the first being political leadership.
This is further elaborated in the report particularly remarks made by political leaders prior to the elections about its importance.
In response to this, the Electoral Commissioner then presented their own report, based largely on the EC’s perspective on how they felt the elections had been conducted.
After both presentations, Governor Bird thanked both agencies for their analysis on the 2022 NGE and urged that moving forward, they will be planning public consultations for next year, when he tables the reports on the floor of parliament.
PC: TIPNG