TIPNG urges commission to make permanent appointment

WITH exactly 23 weeks remaining before the scheduled April 28 issuing of writs for the 2022 National General Elections, Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has issued a call on the Government to make a permanent appointment of an electoral commissioner.
Prime Minister James Marape, meanwhile, restated his position during the Parliament sitting recently that the elections would proceed as planned.
TIPNG chairman Peter Aitsi said the long-standing vacancy at the head of the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) and the current acting arrangements could cause instability within the commission workforce and as a result could disrupt planning and preparations for a successful delivery of the 2022 elections.
“Simon Sinai was appointed acting Electoral Commissioner following former electoral commissioner Patilias Gamato’s suspension last August,” he said.
“This acting appointment expired in February and was further extended in August this year, with no substantive appointment yet to be made.
“With less than six months left before the issue of writs, the current leadership vacuum within the PNGEC should be a concern for stakeholders.”
Aitsi said the elections represented a significant logistical undertaking, which could not be taken lightly.
“As we have experienced in past elections, staging a national election in PNG is a complex and challenging exercise on many fronts, and so if we are to have any hope of carrying out the 2022 elections in a truly free, fair, efficient, and peaceful manner, the PNG Electoral Commission, as the lead agency, must be given ample time to put its house in order.”
Aitsi said this included ensuring that an impeccably credentialled, competent and qualified individual was appointed to lead the organisation.
“Confidence in the process to appoint the new commissioner, as well as the credibility and integrity of that person, will go a long way to restoring public trust, including the trust and confidence of intending candidates.”