With a number of provinces now in the process of firming up their plans for implementation of the upcoming National General Elections across their respective districts and wards, Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has called on all Provincial Elections Steering Committees (PESCs) to ensure in their planning that the constitutional rights of voters must not be sacrificed in the rush to deliver elections on time.
TIPNG made this call following serious concerns raised by local civil society groups to representatives of the New Ireland PESC last week, regarding a proposal to have one-day polling in the province.
These views were expressed during a one-day workshop in Kavieng, hosted by TIPNG through its Building Elections Integrity through Partnership (BEIP) Project. The BEIP Project, supported by the #PNGAusPartnership, has conducted national civic awareness across eight provinces in all four regions of Papua New Guinea.
“With the April 28th Issue of Writs looming and many provinces yet to finalize their plans and preparations, the inclusion and involvement of civil society in Provincial Election Steering Committees is critical in enabling wider consultation of views and engaging existing province-wide networks for voter awareness,” said TIPNG Deputy Director Partnerships and Policy Mr. Yuambari Haihuie, in a statement after the workshop.
“During TIPNG’s outreach in New Ireland Province, we were fortunate to be supported by our partners including the Provincial Administration, Provincial Police Command, the provincial electoral commission office during our awareness. During a visit to Utu Secondary School, students who had not enrolled earlier in December were given the opportunity by the provincial election office to register their interest to be on electoral roll. This is an example of what can be done to secure voters rights if PESC’s ensure consultation in collaboration,” Mr. Haihuie said.
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