30/05/2023
2022 NGE Summit supports electoral reforms in PNG.
Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu reiterated Prime Minister James Marape’s call for a substantial electoral reform in Papua New Guinea, in his opening remarks during the Electoral Summit held at APEC Haus today.
Mr Pomaleu said that following the conclusion of the 2022 National General Election, the Prime Minister, in his inaugural address to the 11th Parliament, acknowledged that the recent election had demonstrated the need for electoral reform.
Prime Minister had informed Parliament that maintaining the status quo is simply no longer an option.
"Since then, Prime Minister Marape has been clear that work to reform our electoral system must start early to ensure that we deliver a new electoral system by the time of our 50th anniversary of Independence in 2025 and well ahead of the next election taking place in 2027. And that is the reason we're all here today.
"This National Election Summit has been convened as an initiative of the Inter-departmental Election Committee (IDEC), which I co-chair with PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai.
"The purpose of the summit is twofold. First, to hear from the experts, observers and stakeholders about their different experiences and views from the 2022 election. And the second, to take those experiences, views and learnings to help us formulate practical and evidence based recommendations for reform," he said.
He said the participants will hear from a number of different speakers. Each will speak to their own experiences.
The Chief Secretary said they will outline what worked well in the 2022 NGE and what went wrong.
"This is an important part of informing our future reform agenda.
"Tomorrow and Wednesday, the summit will move to a closed session, working with representatives and stakeholders from the agencies presenting today to map options for future electoral reform. And off course, this work is not happening in isolation.
"As the Honourable Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee outlines in his keynote address, the recommendations arising from this summit will inform the work of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the 2022 Election and this will in turn provide options to the Government and the Parliament," he said.
Mr Pomaleu concluded by saying the Prime Minister has directed that the IDEC becoming a standing body that meets throughout the full five year election cycle, rather than only in the months and weeks leading up to the election taking place.
Mr Pomaleu said it is likely that as we proceed to identify reforms, that there will be a need to look at a range of options.
“Some will be administrative in nature and easy to progress. Others may require Constitutional or legislative change. Some will require early incorporation into the annual budget process.”
Caption: Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu, addressing participants during the Election Summit today. Picture courtesy of PM's Media Unit
