NRI signs deal to help review poll laws

The National National

By LUKE KAMA
THE Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) has signed an agreement with the National Research Institute (NRI) for the institute to help review the Organic Law on national and local level government elections.
During the signing in Port Moresby yesterday, commission Secretary Dr Eric Kwa said the Government has already issued a constitutional directive to review the law with terms of reference showing 13 items needed to be covered.
Kwa said some of the items included in the terms of reference were so technical they required external assistance.
“We have considered all those references and have decided that where they require additional technical analysis, we will assign the topics to our two higher institutions of learning, NRI and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG),” he said.
“The idea is that if NRI can conduct its research and engage with the community, they can put together an independent advice to the commission.
“And UPNG similarly.”
Kwa said the commission provided K50,000 to the institute to do a research and analysis on:

  • The electoral roll system;
  • The polling system, including polling periods and polling places;
  • The electoral boundaries; and
  • Women and special interest representation in Parliament.

Kwa has urged citizens to submit their views.
The review is currently underway with public consultations already being conducted in some parts of the country, particularly in the Highlands.
“We are expected to complete the review by July next year and make a submission to the Government so we encourage everyone to make their inputs to be considered in the review,” he said.