2016 Open Day Presentation

Representing PGIR Department’s Political Strand

Topic of Presentation: PNG Electorates and Election

Two topics of presentation 1. Electorate

2. Election

1. Electorate

Government is a parliamentary democracy, with 111 National Parliament members (increased from 109 before the 2012 general election). Elections are held every five years. After a general election parliament elects a Prime Minister who heads the national government. 89 of whom are chosen from single-member "open" electorates, which are sometimes referred to as "seats" but are officially known as constituencies.

The remaining 22 are chosen from single-member provincial electorates

20 provinces, the autonomous province of Bougainville (North Solomons), and the National Capital District.

Each provincial member becomes governor of his province unless he takes a ministerial position, in which case the governorship passes to an open member of the province.

2. Election systems In 1964, 1968 and 1972 elections PNG used the AV (Alternative Voting) system inherited from Australia (LPV). AV/ LPV uses the absolute majority ie. 50%+ 1 to declare a winner The AV system was replaced in 1975 by the plurality system. The plurality system uses the “first past the post system” to declare a winner. Voters put a cross on a ballot paper next to their favored candidate and the candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins.

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In January 2002, PNG parliament voted for the AV (LPV) voting system to be reintroduced.

The current system (LPV) was first used for a by-election in 2003 and subsequently for the 2007 National Election.

2007 National Election Elections were held from 30 June 2007 to 10 July 2007.

The LPV system of voting was first used during that election.

The previous first past the post voting system was omitted.

2012 National Election Statistics Total parties contested – 21

Independent candidates – 2197 (16 won)

Party with highest candidates- PNC Party 89 (27 won)

PNG Party with 88 candidates (8 won)

THE Party with 72 candidates (12 won)

Statistics of the 2012 National Elections

2017 National ElectionThe PNG Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato announced that both the National and the Local Level elections will be held concurrently.

The theme of the elections is 'Your Choice, Protect the Democracy - Election 2017‘

The Governor General approved the dates as per the Electoral Commissioner's recommendations.

The Issue of Writs and Nomination will open on Thursday, 20th April, 2017. Nominations close 27th April, with polling to start on June 24th and end on July 8th.

2017 National Election

Return of Writs is on or before July 24th for the national election. For the

LLG Election, the return of Writs is August 7th.

A writ is a formal written order instructing the returning officer in each

electoral district to hold an election to elect a Member of Parliament

2017 National Election Commissioner Gamato said the nomination period is seven days, from April 20

to 27, campaigning eight weeks from 20th April to July 8th and the polling

period is 14 days, from June 24th to July 8th.

The Electoral Commissioner by law, declares both National and LLG elections to

be run concurrently.

Roles of the Political Parties A group of like-minded people who work together as a unit to influence the general public, context elections to gain power. Five roles

1. It makes the working of parliamentary government possible- The party which gets the majority of votes forms the government

2. Political Parties formulate public policies- political party fights the election to achieve its objectives incorporated in their political manifesto.

Roles continue3. Political parties educate Public opinion- parties in any system of government educate, formulate and organize public opinion through public rallies, meetings, press conferences on important issues and make their views clear.

4. Political parties provide political stability- the political parties in more than one way unite, simplify and stabilized the political process of the country.

5. It helps in the recruitment of leaders- the essential function of any party is to recruit men of integrity, action, leadership and prepare them for election.

A professional organization that demonstrates excellence, leadership and transparency in managing elections in Papua New Guinea. (PNG Electrol Commission)