More nominations expected

By LULU MARK
MORESBY North-West has seen 17 candidates nominate so far heading into the final day of nominations but an official says more are expected.
Returning officer Vincent Manukayasi said three candidates that went to the Moresby North-West nomination site yesterday were not able to complete the process because they did not have the necessary requirements.
He said one of the candidates did not bring the four identification (ID) photos, one did not pay the nomination fee and the other just collected the forms and left.
He said the only nomination yesterday was of Ross Oromiva, who had contested the last two elections.
“With today’s nomination we now have 17 candidates for the Moresby North-West seat,” Manukayasi said.
“This electorate usually has more than 30 candidates.
“We are expecting a big line up tomorrow (today) because it is the final day for nominations.”
The returning officer said he was expecting the number to go up to 21 before close of nominations but it could be more.
He said in the 2017 election there were 38 candidates of which four were women.
“So far we have two nominations from women (Anna Bais, a People’s Party candidate and Fai Tukeo, a Levites Party candidate).
“I think these are the only two females we will have for this seat.”
Manukayasi said the order of the draw for the Moresby North-West seat would be held at 9am tomorrow at the Boroko Electoral Commission office.
Meanwhile, according to NCD assistant election manager Roselyn Tabogani seven nominations were made for Moresby North-East bringing the total up to 55.
She said for Moresby South as of yesterday there were seven nominations and for the regional 24 nominations have been filed.

Malabag vying for NCD seat

FORMER Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS and Moresby North-West MP Michael Malabag says it is about time a strong Papuan is at the helm of the National Capital District (NCD).
At his nomination yesterday Malabag, for the NCD Regional seat, said he was a battle hardened veteran of union and national politics who had served continuously on the NCD Commission Board as commissioner for 17 years (2000-2017) and was now vying regional seat.
He is running under the PNG National Party.
He was the MP for North-West from 2012-2017 and the Health Minister for that period under People National Congress party.
“I am standing for the regional seat because of the people, they want me to.
“Many people are saying it’s about time a strong Papuan stand for NCD regional seat – they are saying that the only strong Papuan leader is you.
“It’s coming from them – using their own words not me.
“We believe it’s about time the seat comes back to one of us.
“Not only that but I have been on the NCDC board for 17 years, 12 years as a commissioner representing the union movement and when I won the election I kept on as the MP for North-West and the chairman of the NCD physical planning board. It is quite a long time and I am well versed in the whole system and everything.” He said there were a lot of things to do to ensure that long term measures in addressing issues were in place.

University students to conduct study of electoral process

By JAMIE HARO
THE Political Science Department of the University of Papua New is conducting a study on this year’s general election.
Research team leader Michael Kabuni said: “Our research called the ‘PNG Open Election Data’ will be based on observations made on the aspects of the electoral processes.”
He said the research aspects would include security, electoral legislation, creation of new districts, electoral management, political parties, voter registration, criteria of enrolment and nominations, campaign and polling schedules and electoral disputes.
“Our election research was sponsored by the National Democratic Institute with a team made up of students who are currently undergoing studies in honours, masters, and PhD candidates but are also tutors and lecturers of political science at UPNG.
“We bid for a competitive research grant from the NDI, that was successful and funded by the US Government to conduct the ‘Election Data Openness,” Kabuni added.
He said research was commonly practiced in many parts of the world during elections and NDI had stepped in to help with PNG election research.
“We will eventually produce a report with recommendations that will be disseminated for public consumption on how to improve accessibility to official data on the electoral process in PNG.”
The research began last December and will continue through the elections until September 2022.

Dangima aims to bring change

NATIONAL Capital District (NCD) governor Powes Parkop is expected to face a stiff challenge from several candidates in including Ben Dangima.
Dangima, who is running under the Liberal Party, is a young successful businessman and a land management graduate from the University of Technology
Hailing from Kerowagi district in Chimbu, Dangima is the eldest son of former Kerowagi member Camilus Dangima.
Dangima said under his leadership, better policies would be introduced to bring hope to the hopeless, to give better services to NCD’s indigenous people, the Motu-Koitabu, settlers, small businesses, the corporate sector, international communities, churches and other stakeholders.
After the nominating, Dagima thanked his supporters and said NCD was in disarray and needed immediate change in the leadership.
“Our metropolitan city is being mismanaged due to lack of political leadership,” he said.
“We need a change, there is no better time than now.
“Our people are suffering in the settlements, suburbs and Motu Koitabu villages. There is a lack of job opportunities that results in poverty, unemployment, and increased law and order problems across the city.”