Vote of no confidence period open, says Marape

PEOPLE who want to file a vote of no confidence motion can do so between February 5 and 12 months before the next general election, according to the Leader of Government Business James Marape.
Parliament was adjourned on Friday to May 7.
“Let me stress to the House that the vote of no confidence period is alive all the way to 2021 – 12 months before the issuing of writs (for the 2022 general election). Parliament will sit as planned,” he said.
The first 18 months after a new government is formed is the grace period given for stability purposes and to draft policies. Marape said the local level government elections in April and the Bougainville referendum in June were two important events coming up this year.
“On the Government side, the number is firm and strong. We intend to have full programmes for Parliament this year,” he said.
Deputy Clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa said any vote of no confidence can be brought against the Prime Minister during any Parliament session after the grace period.
Aufa said the notice of the motion should be submitted at any time between May 2019 and June 2021.
Marape thanked the Members for their punctuality and attendance in the past two weeks.
He also thanked the attendance of Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch who sat through the sessions.