by Vasinatta Yama – EM TV, Port Moresby
In an exclusive interview with EM TV, the Electoral Commissioner, Andrew Trawen, confirmed that the data collected from the National Identity Project will be used in the 2017 National Elections.
Although more time is needed for Papua New Guineans to register, Trawen said his officers are already on the ground registering.
From previous elections in PNG, problems arise from double voting and there are incidences of under-aged children voting.
Trawen said before the data can be used, they will cross check with the records in their system, with the data collected from NID to ensure that everyone is included.
For new voters and those that missed out in registering for the project, the Electoral Commission will enroll them into the electoral roll in order for them to vote.
The NID Project was launched in November last year by the Department of Planning and Monitoring in partnership with the Electoral Commission and Civil Registry.
PNG NID is an ID Card System that will have personal information and statistics or data of all PNG citizens.
The system prevents double-voting, as your identity will appear on the screen once the ID card is presented.
It is a reform into the Electoral Commission, Civil Registry, and National Statistics Office, to keep up to date with the National Census and Electoral Roll.
The information from the census will be available annually, instead of the usual 10 year census cycle.
The pilot project has already started in the Ialibu-Pangia electorate of Southern Highlands Province.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lwXPRU5IttA%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
