3,499 contesting

A TOTAL of 3,499 candidates has been accepted by the Electoral Commission (EC) nationwide for the 2022 general election.
In 2017, a total of 3,340 candidates contested, fewer by 159.
Electoral commissioner Simon Sinai said 142 women (167 in 2017) or four per cent of the total number of candidates were contesting for the 118 seats in Parliament.
Provinces that saw women nominated are Morobe with the highest at 22, Central 15, Madang 14, Northern 11 and the National Capital District 10.
In 2012, 135 women contested with three succeeding in making into the House – Delilah Gore (Sohe MP), Loujaya Kouza (Lae MP) and Julie Soso (Eastern Highlands governor).
Sinai in a media statement said the highest number of nominations was Moresby North-East with 76 candidates and Chimbu came in second with 75 candidates.
Other electorates that received fewer than 10 nominations include:

•  Ialibu-Pangia – nine;
•  Tari-Pori – nine;
•  Hagen Central – nine;
•  Pomio – nine;
•  Rabaul – nine;
•  South Bougainville – nine;
•  Moresby South – eight; and,
•  Bougainville provincial – six.
  Nominations by regions has Highlands with 1,251 nominations, followed by Momase – 980 and Southern – 921.
  New Guinea Islands accepted 341 nominations.
  Sinai said the election’s success depended on people’s cooperation.
  “2022 general election is not for the EC, we are only managing the process to ensure that you cast your votes and choose your leaders,” he added.
  He reminded candidates to use the campaign period, from May 26 to July 1, to spell out their policies and for voters to listen and make informed choices and decisions at the polling booths. Polling is scheduled for July 2 to 22 and the returning of election writs on or before July 29.