Office waiting to officially announce new party headed by Sir John

By HELEN TARAWA
THE Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates has registered a new party, the Liberal Party.
Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu told The National that Liberal Party was headed by Kompiam-Ambum MP Sir John Pundari and had a small number of registered members.
Dr Gelu said the party would be officially announced before the next National General Elections in 2022 as required by law.
Without disclosing any further information, Gelu said the Liberal Party was registered in January.
With regards to People’s National Congress (PNC) Party membership, Gelu said after the 2017 elections 30 PNC endorsed candidates won their seats.
However, due to defections, PNC numbers had been reduced to 16 candidates and with the win by Benjamin Philip in the Menyamya by-election the total membership was now 17.
Currently, the political party memberships are as follows: Pangu Pati (the ruling party) 28, PNC 17, National Alliance 11, United Resource Party 7, People’s Party 6, People’s Democratic Party 4, Our Development Party 3, PNG National Party 2, Social Democratic Party 2, People’s Labour Party 1, Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party 1, PNG Party 1, Melanesian Liberal Party 1, Coalition Reform Party 1, People’s Movement for Change 1, United Party 1, PNG One Nation Party 1, Allegiance Party 1, Melanesian Alliance 1, People’s Action Party 1, Independent 1.
Meanwhile, Moresby North West MP Sir Mekere Morauta, who was an independent candidate, has joined the National Alliance (NA) party.
Dr Gelu said Sir Mekere had submitted all the paper work for the registration to the Office of the Registry of Political Parties and Candidates.
He said the move by Sir Mekere to join NA would now bring the number of members to 12.
Sir John and Southern Highlands Governor William Powi had both been without political parties until recently when the Liberal Party was established and registered in January.