Observer urges PNG to begin Early Election Preparations

Observer Urges PNG To Begin Early Election Preparations

An international election observer has urged Papua New Guinea to begin early preparations for elections, saying this is crucial to improve the conduct of future national polls.
Former Country Director of International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Paul Rolland issued this challenge, when giving his perspective of the 2022 Election via zoom, during the first day of the Election Summit in Port Moresby yesterday. 
Mr. Rolland said PNG has some of the challenging elections compared to other countries."

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Right now with preparations for elections, work for four years through the various phases to improve the resourcing. Provide the necessary and needed human resources structure at the Electoral Commission but also with the other agencies.
"Keep that IDEC (Inter-Departmental Election Committee) going to make sure that agencies are coordinated and thinking about elections this year and next year and the year after." Mr. Rolland said.
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems is a non-profit organization working globally to strength democratic institutions.
Currently, IFES is working with more than 30 countries, including 12 Pacific nations and has a program in PNG.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Elections and East Sepik Governor, Alan Bird has highlighted the importance of restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
He said though elections are key events in every democratic process, citizens are still doubting the process of government.
Governor Bird was speaking during the Election Summit in Port Moresby yesterday.
"The bulk of our people need to feel confident that the results are legitimate. That then feeds into the public service and every other process that we have. And its that legitimacy that will allow governments, who I suppose function with a certain level of credibility and we need to restore that credibility.
"For us to continue without doing anything about all of this processes that lead to elections I think would be unacceptable and irresponsible," Mr. Bird said.
The three-day Election Summit in Port Moresby is attended by representatives from the Electoral Commission, Registry of Political Parties and Candidates, Inter-Departmental Election Committee, Transparency International PNG and National Research Institute, among others.

NBC News / PNGfacts

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