By Ancilla Ilave
The PNG National Research Institute will have a two-day seminar titled ‘Population Data Collection, Storage, Management, Application, Processing, Use for Elections and Other Purposes,’ which will be held on 15th and 16th July at the Forest Research Institute in Lae.
In 2024, a report was presented in Parliament by the Parliamentary Committee on Elections following the 2022 National General Elections issues.
The report was recommending reforms to election laws and systems.
According to a statement from the PNGNRI Office of the Chairman, these reforms aim to address national security, law enforcement, and governance challenges.
It stated that issues like disputed parliamentary seats, concerns about the integrity of elections, high costs of updating the common roll, and a deferred national census highlight the urgent need for improved data systems.
According to the statement, Prime Minister James Marape has announced the implementation of biometric systems for the 2027 National Elections, supported by the Civil Registry Project, to enhance security and verify voter eligibility.
However, it was noted that the main challenges remain in data collection and management, particularly in the development and maintenance of Village Record Books, Ward and Common Rolls, and civil registration systems.
The PNGNRI seminar aims to bring together key stakeholders to discuss these challenges, share updates, and explore collaborative approaches to building a robust national data infrastructure that supports elections and broader government planning.
The seminar is expected to bring out an improved understanding of population data management practices and strengthen collaboration and resource sharing among key stakeholders.
The presentations and recommendations during the two-day seminar will be compiled as seminar proceedings to inform policy discussions and future reforms.
