By GEORGINA MICHAEL
Moresby Northeast MP Hon. John Kaupa raised concerns in Parliament over preparations for the 2027 national elections, calling for the implementation of proposed amendments to electoral laws.
Kaupa noted that a special parliamentary committee on the 2022 elections, chaired by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, had presented a report with recommendations for the upcoming polls. He stressed the need to address four key areas: candidate eligibility, qualifications, nomination processes, and the issue of election petitioners.
Sharing his personal experience from the 2022 elections, Kaupa said he faced 76 candidates in his electorate, with three election petitions filed against him. “I don’t want to go through the same thing again. The amendments have already been presented on the floor of Parliament with recommendations. The four agendas mentioned above are in those recommendations,” he said.
He asked Prime Minister Hon James Marape when the amendments would be implemented, noting that the 2027 elections are fast approaching. Kaupa said the proposals included stricter eligibility criteria, adjustments to nomination fees, and raising the security bond for petitioners from K5,000 to K100,000 due to the high cost of engaging lawyers.
In response, PM Marape said Section 50 of the Constitution guarantees the right of any citizen to contest elections without discrimination.
“That remains their right, but voters have a greater right to decide who to vote into office,” he said.
Marape added that the Constitution does not allow Parliament to pass subsidiary laws that prevent qualified citizens from contesting, though the Leadership Code sets standards for candidates. “However, as we go into the future, the next Parliament can look into some of those issues around qualifications,” he said.
On the issue of petitioners, Marape pointed to the option of liquidation after court taxation, noting that members who successfully defend against election petitions can pursue that legal avenue to recover costs. “That option is available and the law is sufficient in that space,” he said.