|
THE following are a chronology of events that took place when the 8th
Parliament sat to elect Sir Michael Somare as Prime Minister of PNG, and
Jeffery Nape as Speaker of Parliament.
Before the elections, the Chief Justice of PNG Sir Mari Kapi entered
Parliament and took a seat in the Speaker’s chair to preside over the
swearing in of the 108 MPs.
The writ for the Rai Coast Open seat was set aside, with prisoner James
Yali unable to be in Parliament to take his seat.
9:30am – Bells are rung as Members entered the Chamber to take
their seats, with National Alliance and its partners taking the
Government side, and Sir Julius Chan’s group taking the Opposition side;
10:10am – Chief Justice Sir Mari Kapi enters the Chamber, accompanied by
Registrar of the Court Ian Augerea. Sir Mari takes the Speaker’s chair;
10:20am – Members read out declarations and take their oath of
office;
10:25am – Members are called out to sign the writs for their
electorate;
10:54am – The Chief Justice leaves the chamber after the swearing
in of MPs is completed;
10:55am – Clerk of Parliament Don Pandan calls for nomination of
Speaker. Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris nominates Jeffery Nape, while Moresby
Northwest MP Sir Mekere Morauta nominates Bart Philemon. Both accept
nomination;
11:17am – The result of the election by secret ballot is read out
by the Clerk. Nape beats Philemon 86 votes to 22. Nape assumes the
chairs and takes congratulatory messages;
11:25am – Speaker Nape suspends Parliament and goes down to
Government House to meet the governor-general and be sworn in;
12:23pm – Speaker Nape enters Parliament to take his seat. He
reads out the requirements of the Organic Law in the election of prime
minister. He also reads the invitation by the governor-general to the
National Alliance Party to form government;
12:28pm – South Bougainville MP Michael Laimo nominates Sir
Michael Somare, seconded by Tari-Pori MP James Marabe. Sir Michael
accepts nomination. Speaker rejects move by Bart Philemon to defer
elections, and conducts the vote;
12:48pm – Speaker announces that Sir Michael has been elected
Prime Minister with 86 votes;
12:55pm – Speaker suspends Parliament for Prime Minister to go to
Government House for swearing i;
1:20pm – Sir Michael Somare presents himself to Governor-General
Sir Paulias Matane;
1:21pm – The governor-general signs the declarations, and Sir
Michael takes oath of office;
2:05pm – Parliament reconvenes and the Prime Minister reports to
the house the governor-general’s acceptance of his appointment. Prime
Minister announces caretaker cabinet.
2:53pm – Speaker adjourns Parliament to Sept 18 for its first
full sitting.
 
|
