MPs not in any party

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The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has confirmed that 11 Members of Parliament are without a political party.
Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu, pictured, told The National that the 11 MPs include Sam Basil (Bulolo), Koni Iguan (Markham), Thomas Pelika (Menyama), Kennedy Wenge (Nawaeb), Chris Nangoi (Sumkar), Peter Sapia (Rai Coast), Lekwa Gure (Rigo), Moriape Kavori (Lufa), John Pundari (Kompiam-Ambum), Pila Niningi (Imbonggu) and William Powi (Southern Highlands regional).
Gelu said they were aware of MPs resigning from their respective parties but they had not received any documentation of their resignations.
“Since the vote-of-no-confidence period and the political party membership movement, the final listing was completed,” he said.
“We are aware of MPs resigning from their respective parties.
“However, we have not received documents to affect their resignations, therefore, the listing is in accord with the information that we have received so far.”
Gelu said there was an issue with the Melanesian Alliance (MA) party.
It was with the movement of Bulolo MP Sam Basil and former Pangu MPs.
“Despite the fact that they have already submitted their formal applications, there was an issue with the party logo,” he said.
“Under the party listing now we have Basil and his team listed as independents.
“They are not part of MA as yet.
“The issue is mostly dealing with the party itself.
“It has nothing to do with the Registry of Political Parties.
“We have written to MA party leader Joseph Yopyyopy and Basil urging them to talk about this.”
Gelu said after the Supreme Court decision of 2010, the law did not allow them to intervene.
“For us in the registry, when it comes to the movement of MPs, we don’t have any say anymore.”