PM slams allegations against PNC

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has rubbished allegations that his party solicited funds from the private sector to fund the 2017 general election.
“Those accusing my Peoples National Congress (PNC) of soliciting funds and rigging the election should name the people (party official) so that action can be taken against him or her,” he said.
“Why is the Opposition not naming the person or persons they accuse of soliciting funds and rigging the election?
“We don’t go around soliciting funds. We have legal provisions for fundraising. Like every political party, the PNC also raises funds. So what’s wrong with that?”
Deputy Opposition Leader Timothy Masiu said PNG had well and truly survived on constitutional democracy, not so much on parliamentary democracy which had been eroded by the greed for power by political parties and MPs.
He said any inquiry into election rigging must also include revelations of the ruling party’s alleged involvement in soliciting election funds from companies contracted by the Australian government on the Manus Detention Centre.
“The rigging of the 2017 elections and allegations of PNC party officials soliciting funds from companies, as reported by two reputable Australian newspapers, are very serious matters of national interest. Both involve the party led by the current Prime Minister and cannot go unchallenged.”
He also called on O’Neill not to downplay reports of election conspiracies revealed by the 2017 Election Observer Group from Australian National University.
“We believe the report real and poses a serious threat to the nation’s vibrant democracy. The report is in-depth, conclusive and reveals systematic corruption by PNC, other parties and candidates, the Electoral Commission, Police and Defence.
“It’s an extraordinarily detailed report that’s unique and provides invaluable data based on direct observations by a team of 258 expert researches, including 32 PNG academics and should be a cause for serious concern by any government that envisages democratic ideals.”
However, O’Neill said his party went into the elections like all political parties and lost almost half of the parliamentary members, winning only 27 seats to form a coalition government.