TIPNG Calls for Immediate Safeguards to Secure 2027 Elections
Port Moresby, Tuesday 10 February 2026 – Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) has released the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) results, revealing a sharp decline in Papua New Guinea’s score. With the 2027 National General Election approaching, these results highlight an urgent need for the government to protect the integrity of democratic processes.
Papua New Guinea scored 26 out of 100 on the 2025 CPI, marking a significant 4-point drop from its 2024 score of 31. The CPI measures perceived public sector corruption based on expert assessments and business surveys, with 0 being “highly corrupt” and 100 being “very clean”.
“The drop in PNG’s 2025 CPI score is not an isolated result; it demonstrates a multi-year trend linked with our electoral cycle,” said TIPNG CEO, Ms. Arianne Kassman. “PNG’s scores show a pattern of slight improvement over 5 years, followed by a sharp decline during election year—a cycle that must be broken to ensure a fair 2027 election. What we do in 2026 will determine the integrity of our democracy in 2027.”
To secure a “clean” election, TIPNG is calling for prioritized action in two critical areas in 2026:
1.Support for Integrity Institutions and Processes
• Government to ensure the PNGEC is fully funded to independently fulfill its mandate.
• Regular convening of the Inter-Departmental Elections Committee (IDEC) to facilitate seamless inter-agency coordination need to happen.
• Parliament must formally adopt the findings of the Special Parliamentary Committee Report on the 2022 General Elections to address past systemic failures.
• Law enforcement agencies—including the PNG ICAC, the National Coordinating Committee (NCC), and the Police—must coordinate their plans to address election offences, including corruption.
2. Shield Against Risks to the 2027 Elections
• Do not rush through reforms in 2026, instead follow the PNGEC’s electoral cycle for reforms.
• Do not make leadership vacuum, permanent PNGEC Commissioner should be appointed in Q1.
• Do not politicize PNGEC, take steps such as developing Caretaker Cabinet policy in 2026.
• Do not delay constitutionally required processes, actions such as Roll Update should be prioritized.
