By Jack Lapauve Jr, EMTV – Port Moresby
Two Government agencies will be working closely to develop an alternate voting system for Papua New Guinea.
Communications and Information Secretary Paulius Korni, said the recent visit to India was practically helpful for PNG’s electoral system.
Secretary Korni said dialogue with experts from India will see the development of a new voting system, and work will begin once instruments for an agreement are signed between PNG and India.
Korni said the use of ICT will be instrumental in developing a suitable voting system for the country.
He said despite India using the first pass the post system, Indian experts are keen to help the PNG Electoral Office.
Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, was also part of the delegation which held separate meetings with Indian officials.
With the recent 2017 National Elections, the Electoral Commission was put under immense pressure with accusations of poorly conducting the elections. The use of ICT will be a key enforcer in developing the new voting system.
It will take a while in developing this new system for the country with feasibility studies to begin once agreements between PNG and India are signed
Head of the delegation to India and Planning Minister, Richard Maru, said not only was a new voting system canvassed. Other sectors covered were education, transport, SME, health, Law and Order and energy.
