Writs today

By REBECCA KUKU and GEORGINA KOREI
THE country’s 11th General Election starts today with the issuance of election writs followed by the nomination of candidates until May 19.
And Prime Minister James Marape called for peace and order to prevail in general election, reminding Papua New Guineans that life imprisonment was now the maximum penalty for illegal use and ownership of firearms.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) electoral commissioner Simon Sinai said nomination of candidates would start at 4pm (today) in the offices of provincial returning officers (ROs). The offices will be open from 8am to 4pm.
“The basic qualification for all electoral hopefuls to be nominated is that they must be a PNG citizen aged 25 and above.
“They must be born in, or have a residence in the electorate for a period of two years consecutively or for five years at any time.
“The nomination fee is K1,000 per candidate, and can be paid in cash during nomination or through the Bank of South Pacific under the PNGEC 1000 489 658.
“If paid to the bank account, nominated candidates must bring the original copy of the bank receipt at the time of nomination,” he added.
Deputy electoral commissioner John Kalamoroh said electoral hopefuls could start paying their nomination fees at BSP bank and then produce the receipt at the nomination centres.
“We will not accept group payments. If parties are paying the nomination fees for their candidates, they must do so individually and not as a group.
“Those who wish to contest in this year’s general election are also reminded to bring along four high quality passport photographs at the time of nomination so that we can get your posters ready. Let me clarify, this is not posters for campaigning but posters for polling.
“Nominations will be open for one week and will close at 4pm on Thursday,” he added.
Meanwhile, acting political parties’ registrar Emmanuel Pok has reminded electoral hopefuls to submit Forms 23, 29 and if endorsed by a party Form 30.
“Form 23 is the nomination for candidate for election as a Member of Parliament, Form 29 is the nominated candidate’s information.
“Form 30 is for those who are endorsed by a party and is for party information. All these forms must be submitted at the time of nomination,” he added.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Anton Billie said candidates should control their supporters’ behaviour during nomination to avoid trouble and maintain peace.
“Educate all your supporters on election laws to ensure that they do not breach the election process. It is our responsibility as potential leaders,” he added.
Marape also thanked the Australian government for helping PNG with safe and secure printing and delivery of ballot papers, and the Indian government for supplying the indelible ink for polling day.