Gelu: Where have the parties gone?

By HELEN TARAWA
Registrar of Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu, pictured, is disappointed with the 12 newly formed political parties that have gone silent since last year’s election.
Dr Gelu told The National that the parties had not communicated with the Registrars’ Office since.
The 12 parties are Grassroots United Front Party, PNG One Advent Party, Wantok in Godly Services Party, PNG Human Rights Party, Paradise Kingdom Party, Papua New Guinea First Party, Model Nation Party, Trust PNG Party, PNG Youths Party, Nation’s Interest Party, Papua New Guinea Socialist Party and SOM Pioneer Party.
“This is the trend every election year, he said. “We get political parties that register at the last minute claiming it’s their human right then following the elections, they are nowhere to be seen or heard.
“When we presented their certificates, I reminded them that they would be competing with the established political parties.
“You have to be very careful when you form a party. You formed a party and you have disappeared, where are you?
“I will not hesitate to deregister them so why should we work with them because they are not serious about their parties?
“They have disappeared and we don’t know where they are. My staff have been calling the numbers and addresses they gave but they don’t seem to be responding.”
Dr Gelu said the registry office was working on its programmes and needed to involve those parties but they had not come forward.