Politics
Stormy Days Ahead as PNG Heads into Election Mode
Five former PMs contesting
Papua New Guinea's national elections since independence have always been packed with peculiarities of sorts, but none is as eccentric as this year's.
On the 11th hour, just before nominations were declared open, Prime Minister, Sir Mekere Morauta went to court seeking to delay nominations until what he regarded as "flaws" in the Common Roll were sorted out. He claimed that many voters had not been registered and that the Electoral Commission needed time to complete its enrollment of eligible voters.
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The Electoral Commission was defiant, with Commissioner Reuben Kaiulo appearing in court to argue that they were ready. The commission won. But Sir Mekere made a second attempt, which was also unsuccessful.
The 11th hour decision also affected many hopefuls in the elections. Many missed out on filing their nominations amidst last-minute shambles sparked by political parties failing to pay nomination fees for some of their candidates.
Hopefuls travelled to Port Moresby to check if their parties were still endorsing them before returning to file their nominations.
But as they arrived in the capital, many intending candidates were told their parties could not fulfill their promises to pay their nomination and campaign expenses.
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With some candidates unable to pay for an airfare home - and others finding flights full or delayed - many missed the close of nominations.
Commissioner Kaiulo described the lack of preparation by candidates and parties as "disgraceful".
"At the last minute, intending candidates and political parties were rushing to be nominated or change their endorsed candidates," Kaiulo said. Realising their predicament, many candidates tried to file their nominations in Port Moresby - only to be told this was illegal.
Some of the frustrated candidates reportedly broke down in public and cried. Of the 43 registered political parties, only seven had given the Electoral Commission a list of their intending candidates, Kaiulo said.
The large number of political parties is another factor that makes this year's elections different from the others - it's the biggest ever recorded in the country's brief election history. Also on record is the fact that for the first time ever, this election will be contested by all Papua New Guinea¹s former prime ministers - Paias Wingti, Bill Skate, Sir Julius Chan, Sir Rabbie Namaliu and incumbent Sir Mekere Morauta. They join founding prime minister, Sir Michael Somare contesting the election.
On record also is that father and son MPs, Sir Michael and his son Arthur Somare are about to see the end of a successful five-year tenure in office. They have been re-nominated for the coming elections.
Both have set a precedent, which another former prime minister, Sir Julius and his son Byron Chan, have decided to follow. Sir Julius, who lost in the 1997 elections, has been nominated to contest the New Ireland regional seat, while his son Byron will contest Sir Julius' traditional Namatanai seat, which he held for about 30 years. Although not as significant as other events, these elections will see the biggest number of journalists contesting. They are led by former editor of The National, Frank Senge Kolma and former editor of The Post-Courier Luke Sela, who will be contesting the provincial elections. The others are David Wambi, Cletus Ngaffkin, Henzy Yakam, Herman Mirio, and others.
For the first time also, the pre-election fears of violence are beginning to show in parts of the country.
In the Morobe province, a candidate discharged a firearm in one electorate, while in another, supporters of sitting MP Ginson Saunu were reported to have gone berserk when the MP failed to turn up to address them at a rally. In the Jimi electorate, Western Highlands province, a government MP was attacked with a knife and his daughter injured.
Kuk Kuli was driving into his electoral headquarters when an angry mob pelted rocks at his campaign Toyota Landcruiser, which was then overturned and stripped.
It was reported that Kuli "evaded two knife thrusts to his ribs", while his eldest daughter and two other men, including the driver, were wounded.
But the fallout of the attack could have been far worse. A truckload of the MP's armed supporters were heading to Minj to rescue Kuli. Luckily, Kuli escaped in time to stop them - averting a potentially bloody fight.
Witnesses said Kuli was attacked because while in government he only provided services to his own supporters, and not the entire electorate.
In the Chimbu province, Kundiawa MP, Peter Waieng escaped injury when he was attacked by frustrated voters from his electorate. He was attacked by missiles and stones when he went to file his nomination.
