O’Neill: Govt to help with electoral boundaries

 PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has assured government support to the PNG Electoral Commission to address electoral boundaries issue before the 2017 national election. 

In his address at the launch of the Electoral Commission’s corporate plan at the Parliament last Friday, O’Neill said it was very important that a boundaries commission is established and operated by the next election. 

“The issue is of high importance and the PNG Electoral Commission has taken this on board to ensure this is addressed. 

“The Government stands ready to support you on this. The issue is before Parliament and it will be addressed. 

“I assure you all that the Government will assist and have the Electoral Commission start on this as early as possible,” he said. 

The current electoral boundaries have remained since 1977 which Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen has said to do a full review before the 2017 general election. 

O’Neill said this issue should have been addressed earlier but will ensure an independent boundaries commission is in place. 

O’Neill congratulated the PNG Electoral Commision for including it as an issue of priority in its corporate plan before the 2017 national election. 

He said other matters of improved electoral roll, data accuracy, voter information-awareness and transparency, and security in the electoral commission corporate plan have also gained support from the government so that the country can deliver another successful general election in 2017.