The 2012 Election Observation Report launched yesterday bythe Registrar for Political Parties, Doctor Alphonse Gelu, found that political parties to date mean very little to Papua New Guineas during general elections.
Findings show that voter confidence has always been on individual candidates and MP’s
Currentlythere are 42 political parties inthe country.
The issue onthe swithching and merging of political parties by members of parliament afterthe general elections was identiflied duringthe case study.
This report found that this was one ofthe major factors why political parties mean very little to voters.
This fact has been prevalent sincethe 19’s .
The electorates visited inthe observation case study included; Alotau, Rigo, Abau, Lae, Mt. Hagen, Talasea, Kavieng, Mul Beiyer, Tambul Nebilyer, Rabaul, Kokopo and Gazelle.
Dr. Gelu said this report primarily focused on looking intothe impact ofthe political parties on voter behavior and improverthe skills ofthe registry staff in conducting future research.
The country has moverd ahead in strenthening its various institutions vital for the growth of democracy; however,the political parties still lags behind.
Dr. Gelu said this is a serious issue and urged members of parliamentocommunity lLeadersand respective parties andtheir members to take serious note ofthe report and improver voter confidence.
He encouraged ther institutions includingthe media to assist bridge this gap.
Despite funding shortfalls, Dr. Gelu urged political parties to make ittheir business to bring awareness tothe people in both rural and urban areas oftheir policies prior to general elections.
He said work should begin now in preparation for the 2017 general elections.
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