Invited

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE People’s National Congress Party leader Peter O’Neill is most likely to be elected prime minister when parliament meets tomorrow.
O’Neill, at the head of a strong coalition force pushing 80 MPs-elect, yesterday accepted the invitation from Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio to form government.
Under the law, O’Neill has seven days to secure the numbers and form government.
Since he has more than the 56 simple majority required to elect the prime minister, O’Neill has advised the governor-general and the electoral commissioner that parliament be called tomorrow.
Yesterday, Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen returned 105 election writs to Sir Michael to conclude the 2012 general election. Writ for the Jiwaka regional seat just declared was not in yet while the deadline for writs from the regional seats of Eastern Highlands, Enga, Chimbu and Western Highlands had been extended to next Wednesday.

PNC leader and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill was accompanied by six coalition party leaders from his Alotau camp and accepted the invitation at the Government House in Port Moresby. 
The letter of invitation was received by PNC general-secretary Jonathan Oata. 
As directed under section 63 of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates, PNC, with the highest number of 27 elected members, got the invitation from Sir Michael to form the government.
Coalition party leaders who accompanied O’Neill were Sir Julius Chan (PPP), William Duma (URP), Don Pomb Polye (T.H.E Party), Anderson Agiru (PUA), Powes Parkop (Social Democratic Party) and Patrick Pruaitch (National Alliance).
O’Neill confirmed that his coalition would be in parliament tomorrow to elect a speaker and, later, the prime minister.
After the election of the prime minister, parliament would take a two-week leave.
In his address, O’Neill thanked the people for their support, trust and confidence.
“I am overwhelmed by the support the people have lent us across the length and breadth of the country during the elections.
“The invitation by the head of state today (yesterday) is an answer to your call, and I will humbly accept it.
“The PNC party campaigned strongly on platforms and policies that have guided the government I led in the last 10 months. These simple policies seek to address the core of our society’s problems and they are achievable and have been fully endorsed by our people and will continue.”
O’Neill said the policies would work alongside those of the coalition parties.
He was confident of a strong government and assured the country of its existence.
“I want to assure you that your government is now in place,” he said.