Nine new parties named

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By HELEN TARAWA
THE Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission has approved the registration of nine new political parties for the 2017 general elections.
The new political parties announced on Friday are the Paradise Kingdom Party, PNG First Party, Model Nation Party, Trust PNG Party, PNG Youths Party, Nations Interest Party, PNG Socialist Party, Wantoks in Godly Services Party and Papua New Guinea Human Rights Party.
Commission chairperson Dr Orovu Sepoe said this was the highest number of legal parties registered at any one time in the history of the Integrity of the Political Parties and Candidates Commission.
She said the essence of political parties was they must be linked to the needs and aspirations of the people.
“PNG is a democratic country because we allow citizens to form associations such as political parties.
“That’s one feature of democracy,” Sepoe said.
“We also need to do more because forming political parties is not about becoming a member of parliament, becoming the prime minister or a leader of opposition.
“My encouragement to you all is that you have to provide the link between the government, the parliament and the needs and aspirations of the people.
“You have to be the pipeline to carry the voices of our people because you are all from political parties that want to provide services to our people.
“The delivery of services to our people is the first priority.
“Upholding democratic principles and values should also be uttermost in your minds when you are in power.
“These principles will guide us as a nation.”
The new political party officials will join the Registry of Political Parties on March 3rd for an hour session to talk about their policies for the 2017 general elections.
The other new parties Grassroots United Front and PNG One Nation Party will also join them.