Prime Minister (PM) James Marape issued a statement on Thursday evening , expressing his gratitude to the 48 Pangu Pati Members of Parliament (MPs) for their strong support ahead of the Vote of No Confidence (VONC), scheduled for 12 September 2024. The MPs reaffirmed their loyalty to Marape following a Parliament session, showing unity as the government prepares for the upcoming vote. “All 48 MPs, including myself, pledged loyalty to Pangu to honour the Section 63 invitation given by the Head of State to form Government after the 2022 National General Election,” Marape said. He assured the nation that Pangu and its coalition partners would defend the government in next Thursday's VONC. Unlike previous VONC situations where MPs stayed in camps, Marape explained that this time, the coalition partners have opted for a more open and flexible approach. “The difference to past VONCs, where MPs stayed in a camp, is that coalition partners resolved last night, on my advice, that MPs be free to move around rather than stay locked in a camp." "We have an open-door and open-camp policy,” he said. He stated this to dismiss speculations that the MPs would relocate to a remote location, stressing that they would remain in the capital to focus on their preparations for the vote. He added that the upcoming week would be spent reviewing the government's achievements and planning for future development as the nation approaches its 50th anniversary of independence in 2025. The country celebrates its 49th Independence anniversary on September 16th. Marape also called on the people of Papua New Guinea to continue supporting the government and to hold it accountable for its work, promising to deliver results before and by the 2027 National General Election.