Friday 5th June 2026, Port Moresby – Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) is urging all stakeholders to prioritise delivery of key election preparation prior to the 2027 National Election. Outstanding actions that TIPNG says need to be completed include public display & verification of voter rolls, finalisation of electoral boundaries & polling schedule, and essential procurement for materials such as ballot papers.
“In 2022 the writs for the National Election were issued in May, thus under 12 months from now in May 2027 will be the five-year deadline by which the 2027 election has to start. TIPNG is sounding the alarm that preparations for the 2027 election need to be prioritised now, or PNG will see violence, corruption and rights violations that will be catastrophic for social cohesion in our country,” said Peter Aitsi, TIPNG Chair, in a statement.
“While the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) is constitutionally empowered to deliver the 2027 election, success will require whole of society coordination. Now is not the time in the electoral planning cycle to rush through reforms. It is essential to ensure that all election preparations comply with the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections such as the electoral roll, under section 46, and polling schedule, under section 144. Coordination of resources is required through regular and transparent meetings of the national Inter-Departmental Election Committee (IDEC) and through each of the Provincial Election Steering Committees (PESC), whilst respecting the mandate of the PNG Electoral Commission,” said Mr. Aitsi.
TIPNG also urges law enforcement institutions such as the Police, Independent Commission Against Corruption, Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit, Ombudsman Commission and Office of the Public Prosecutor to begin planning joint-coordination on investigating and prosecuting corrupt conduct during the elections. In addition, it will be critical to empower media outlets and communities, in particular first-time voters, with clear, accurate and impartial information from the PNGEC about the election over the next 12 months.
TIPNG has worked with provincial partner institutions and volunteers to accredit as domestic election observers with the PNGEC in the last 5 national elections and will do so again in 2027. The reports and recommendations from observer groups like TIPNG will be used to inform planning and reform after the election is concluded.
