MP sworn in as chairman

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
WEWAK MP Kevin Isifu was sworn in as chairman for the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) in Port Moresby yesterday.
Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae officiated the ceremony at Government House.
Isifu took over from Henganofi MP Robert Atiyafa.
Prime Minister James Marape said Isifu “brought with him a wealth of experience to this important constitutional office” and would partake in important reform agendas proposed by the government.
“Kevin Isifu has some specific reform agendas from the government’s perspective that we’d like someone experienced and closer to our line of thinking to preside over that office (CLRC),” Marape said.
“We would look at the electoral reforms, especially the system of voting.
“We would like to reform it, modernise it and make it cleaner, especially in the area of biometric voting (one person, one vote).”
He said the commission reviewing electoral boundaries would be looked at to consider the size of electorates within the country.
Marape said the government would also be looking at women’s representation in office.
“From the Pangu perspective, we have a very important proposal to put in specific seats for women in our country,” Marape said.
“We’re looking at higher level of regional seats probably at the four regions in the country were its designated as women-only seats.”
He said Constitutional and Law Reform Commission would consult stakeholders and electoral constituents to ensure that reforms were consistent with the constitution as well as what people wanted.