Marape: We are united

By REBECCA KUKU
PANGU Pati leader James Marape says there is unity in their coalition camp which is made up, as of last night, of 48 elected members from 15 political parties.
The leaders of the 15 parties yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to form a coalition government during the first sitting of Parliament scheduled for next Tuesday.
Pangu has more than 20 elected members in camp.
Marape said they were expecting to have 80 MPs in their coalition camp by the end of the week.
“From the 66 MPs declared so far, 48 are part of the coalition,” he said.
“There is no division in the camp.
“We all know our roles and our business is to continue what we started three years ago.”
He thanked the people for choosing Pangu.
“We are here with our coalition partners.
“There will be no horse-trading. We agreed that we will work together to serve the people in the next five years,” he said.
“We are also happy to have more young leaders in the coalition.
“Some are serving their second terms.
Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso said Pangu and its 15 coalition partners were intact.
“There are no cracks.
“We stand united and look forward to receiving the invitation to form government by the end of the week,” he said.
“We also thank the Independent candidates who have joined us. Pangu will work with all parties, we will listen to what everyone says.”

11th Parliament scheduled for next Tuesday, says Clerk

THE first sitting of the 11th Parliament is scheduled for 10am, Tuesday Aug 9, says Clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa.
In a notice to all elected members, Aufa informed them of the extension of the date for the return of writs, and the time and date of the first session.
Aufa said the date was set after consultation with the outgoing prime minister and speaker, and after the extension of the date of the return of writs from Friday July 29 to Friday Aug 5. This is in accordance with Section 124 of the Constitution and Section 1 of the Organic Law on the callings of meetings for Parliament.
For Tuesday’s sitting, Aufa said all members elected were free to sit wherever they wished inside Parliament.
The session will start with the swearing in of the elected members, followed by the election of the speaker and the prime minister.

Security forces withdraw ops from Mendi

SECURITY forces engaged in the General Election 2022 (GE22) in Mendi, Southern Highlands, withdrew their security monitoring services yesterday citing interference in their operations by candidates.
Provincial election manager Alwin Jimmy said he was concerned by the development as they headed into the final stages of counting and declarations.
“We are neutral (Electoral Commission and security forces).
“Now they (candidates) are trying to control us,” Jimmy said.
“The counting is on hold.
“Regional candidates stopped the counting from progressing.”
Jimmy said there were 200-plus ballot boxes yet to go through the primary count and quality checks.
“I have to get directions from my superiors,” he said.
Regional candidate Bernard Kaku said: “This is not the end of the elections.
“We have 2027 (accept) whoever is declared the elected MP, return to your communities and live your normal lives.”
Southern Highlands Governor William Powi urged Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai to move the ballot boxes kept in five containers at the Mendi police station to a neutral counting venue.