The Department of Provincial and Local-Level Government Affairs (DPLGA) has issued a firm reminder to all public servants regarding their legal obligations ahead of the 2025 Local-Level Government (LLG) Elections.
Secretary Philip Leo expressed concern over reports that some public servants—including elementary school teachers, Village Court Magistrates and peace officers—have paid nomination fees to contest the upcoming elections while still holding salaried public service positions.
Mr Leo said all electoral officials, provincial and district administrators and polling personnel are directed not to facilitate or allow such individuals to proceed to polling. Any candidacy not preceded by a lawful resignation constitutes a clear breach of enabling legislation and will attract serious legal and administrative consequences if the individual is elected.
Secretary Leo reiterated that under Section 25(1)(f) of the Organic Law on National and Local-Level Government Elections, a person is disqualified from nomination if they hold a public office and have not resigned at least 12 months prior to the date fixed for the return of writs.
Additionally, Section 55A of the Public Services (Management) Act 2014 (as amended) mandates that any public servant intending to contest a national or LLG election must resign from the Public Service at least 12 months before nomination.
“These provisions apply to all paid public servants, including those serving in the education and justice sectors at the local level,” Mr Leo emphasized.
The DPLGA has directed the following actions to ensure compliance:
- Electoral officials must verify the employment status of all candidates prior to polling.
- Provincial and district administrators must enforce disqualification provisions and report any breaches to the Electoral Commission and the Department of Personnel Management.
- Public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate communities about lawful candidacy requirements.
Mr Leo warned that candidates who failed to resign within the legally required timeframe are ineligible to contest and must be excluded from the polling process.
“Electoral officials who knowingly facilitate ineligible candidates may face disciplinary action. Allowing unqualified individuals to contest undermines the integrity of the electoral process and could lead to legal challenges, nullification of election results and loss of public trust,” he said.
“This statement serves as a proactive measure by DPLGA to uphold lawful governance, protect the integrity of the LLG elections, and ensure full compliance with Papua New Guinea’s constitutional and administrative frameworks.”