Toughen criteria for candidates

Letters

THE criteria for future politicians in Papua New Guinea needs to be strengthened.
We, PNG Think Tank Group, will invite the National Research Institute, the Institute of National Affairs, the Integrity of Political Parties Office, the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, the Department of Justice and Attorney General, the Electoral Commission and the United States and Australian governments to consult and propose an amendment to our election laws to change the qualifying the rights of candidates to stand for the national general election.
Under this, candidates should be required to:

  • BE over 40 years of age;
  • HAVE no criminal records;
  • HAVE not been declared bankrupt;
  • HAVE had 15 or more years of consistent professional work experiences;
  • NOT be a polygamist;
  • BE sound-minded with proper clearances from doctors and psychologists;
  • PAY a nomination of K30,000 which is non-refundable; and,
  • PROVIDE at least 1,000 names of people who support their candidacy with names signed and dated.
    We need to strengthen the entry requirements of future politicians of Papua New Guinea.

Samson Komati,
PNG Think Tank Group