THE PNG National Research Institute will contribute its part over the next six months on focusing on coordinating the discussion on the preparations for the national and LLG elections and in building up capacity of political parties and in ensuring a robust and democratic election is held, says Chairman Wilson Thompson.
He said that the PNG NRI Council notes the important role we must all play in ensuring that the Westminster system of democracy, with its established precedents and procedure, must be given effect.
“This is because in PNG, its implementation is lacking and if not checked today, it will contribute to the serious issues we portray with every elected leader and the systems that we employ including governance, accountability and transparency issues that are raised.
“We must give effect to the laws such as the Organic Law on National and Local level Elections (OLNLLGE) and Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) and Parliamentary Standing Orders that gives the people of PNG, the opportunity to elect their representative to the LLG, Provincial Assembly and Parliament every five years and that mandate is given through the ballot paper and must be based on policies, vision and platforms.
“The NRI Council has resolved to engage with the Electoral Commission, Minister and Department of Provincial Affairs, Boundaries Commission, Integrity of Political Parties & Candidates Commission (Registrar of Political Parties), National Broadcasting Corporation, Office of Prime Minister, Office of Opposition Leader and the National Parliament to commence the weekly Seminar Series, assist political parties with their policies and also conduct a special class in its Diploma in Economic Policy Analysis program for officers involved with political parties and elections”.
Mr Thompson said since 2007, the NRI has assisted all political parties in reviewing their political philosophy, polices and election platforms and at eve of National Elections, hosted Policy Forum to give political parties the opportunity to outline their policies and visions for the country.
“The NRI Weekly Seminar series will invite Royal PNG Constabulary, Electoral Commission, Boundaries Commission, Registry of Political Parties, Department of Provincial Affairs and Clerk of Parliament and the National Broadcasting Commission to inform and update the people of PNG on their planning and preparations for the LLG and National Elections in 2022.
“Also all political parties’ executives will be given opportunity to outline their philosophies, policies and election platforms to be followed by Party Leaders. This is to enable the political parties to outline and publicise their visions and polices, open up for debate and scrutiny.
“The third phase is the special class that will run alongside the normal NRI Diploma in Economic Policy courses for members of disciplinary forces, political parties and elections officers and also media.
“The fourth activity would be to give support to political parties to review their philosophy and policies and elections also to align them to political parties seem such as conservatives, liberal, social and the right and left and centre right etc.
“Finally, towards the opening of Writs, political party leaders will be invited to outline the Election Platforms and Policies and also NRI engaging in Elections Observations and undertaking specific election and political research in 2022.
“Through this Seminar series, all political parties will be given prominence including the opportunity to be measured against their public presentation and also for their work to improve the electoral system and the development of political culture.”