Date Posted: April 30 2023

MEDIA RELEASE

Photo: Parliamentary Media Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Authorised by Hon. ALLAN BIRD, GOVERNOR EAST SEPIK PROVINCE – Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on 2022 General Elections

THURSDAY 27.04.2023 | The Special Parliamentary Committee on the 2022 General Elections commenced its consultation meetings for the Highlands Region today in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province.

The Committee was led by Chairman Hon Allan Bird, Governor for East Sepik and committee members Hon. Keith Iduhu, MP Hiri-Koiari, Hon Robert Naguri, MP Bogia, Hon Jacob Maki, MP Mul-Baiyer and Hon Steven Pim, MP Dei.

Key stakeholders including the Provincial Elections Steering Committees (PESC), candidates who contested in the 2022 National General Elections (NGE) and representatives from Churches, women’s groups and the youths provided their briefings and observations on the conduct of the elections in their respective provinces.

The Committee met with the PESC for Western Highlands, Enga, Chimbu and Jiwaka provinces. These committees comprise of provincial Administrators, Police Commanders and the Election Managers.   

The consultation meetings raised serious issues and challenges such as the rise in the use of firearms, increased violence, unreliable electoral roll, funding issues and political influence over the electoral processes in the 2022 NGE in the Highlands region.

Chairman Hon Allan Bird said the Committee's role was to get to the bottom of the issues raised and find solutions to enable a better elections outcome in 2027.

“I want to thank you all for your honesty and forthrightness. I think this is a starting point… we want to enable you and your people to be able to practice your democracy,” he said. “You have all expressed that you want a change, and you have been honest about your issues because you want change for the better.”

The Public Hearing continues tomorrow, and Chairman Bird is encouraging more women and youth to come forward and share their experiences.

The committee will travel to Lae, Morobe Province next week for the Momase Region consultation meetings from Thursday May 4th, 2023 to Friday May 5th, 2023.

 

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