by Delly Waigeno – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Bulolo, Sam Basil, said today during Questions Without Notice that Papua New Guinea needs an honest government in 2017.
He said an honest government can only be elected in an honest election.
When asking the Prime Minister regarding preparations of the upcoming national election, Basil said observers of the 2012 elections noted problems with electoral rolls and countless election disputes.
He said three months before the Issue of Writs is not enough time to update the electoral rolls.
The Prime Minister in his response said government has already cleared some funding for the Electoral Commissioner, through the Central Agencies Coordinating Committee (CACC).
He said the CACC would be releasing funds in the next few weeks to update the common roll throughout the country.
O’Neill assured parliament and the people of PNG that like in 2012, despite the short preparation time, the elections were conducted around the country without major glitches.
He said the 2017 elections will be held on time.
According to the tentative election program, the Issue of Writs and Nominations open on April 20, 2017. Return of writs will be on or before July 24 next year.
