The Department of Personnel Management has recorded a total of 25 public servants who have formally resigned from the Public Service to contest the 2027 National General Election.
According to a DPM statement, NCD has the highest number with 13 public servants, followed by the Highlands with 7, Momase with two, New Guinea Islands with two and Southern Region with one.
The figures reflect the number of resignations recorded by DPM across the four regions of Papua New Guinea and the National Capital District, as part of the department’s ongoing responsibility to oversee compliance with public service employment requirements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
This follows the closure of the statutory resignation deadline on 29 October 2026.The resignations were made in accordance with Section 55 of the Public Services (Management) Act 1995, which requires public servants intending to contest elections to resign at least six months before the issue of election writs. Guidance was provided through Circular Instructions No. 15, 18 and 24 of 2026.The gender breakdown comprises 24 males and one female.
DPM Secretary Taies Sansan clarified that resignation to contest an election was a formal cessation of employment from the public service.
She explained that under Section 55 of the Public Services (Management) Act 1995 and General Order 20.12 of the National Public Service General Orders, an officer who resigned to contest an election vacated their substantive position, which consequently becomes vacant.
“Once an officer’s resignation to contest the election has taken effect, the substantive position they previously occupied becomes vacant,” she said.
“It is then the departmental head’s responsibility to administer the resignation process and ensure appropriate arrangements are made to fill the resulting vacancies, either substantively or through acting appointments.
“She said there is no provision under Section 55 of the Public Services (Management) Act 1995 or General Orders 20.9 to 20.13 that grants resigned public servants three months’ salary, leave entitlements or other benefits.
Secretary Sansan emphasized that the closure of the resignation deadline marked an important stage in ensuring compliance with the legal requirements governing public servants intending to contest the 2027 NGE.
She stressed that the right to participate in the democratic process came with the responsibility to comply with the laws and administrative procedures governing resignation from the National Public Service.
