Date Posted: February 21 2023

MEDIA RELEASE

Committee on 2022 General Elections to commence public hearings

 

Caption: Members of the Committee captured at a meeting today. Photo: Parliamentary Media Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Authorised by Governor East Sepik Province, Hon. Allan Bird, MP – Chairman of Special Parliamentary Committee on 2022 General Elections

MONDAY 20.02.2023 | The Special Parliamentary Committee on 2022 General Elections (SPC22GE) is set to commence a three-day (Tuesday February 21st, 2023 to Thursday February 23rd, 2023) public hearings into the 2022 National General Elections (NGE) this week, in the State Function Room at Parliament House.

Chairman of the Committee and Governor for East Sepik Province, Hon. Allan Bird, MP said representatives from key Government departments responsible for the conduct and operations of the 2022 NGE such as the Electoral Commissioner and Police Commissioner as well as other relevant stakeholders will appear before the Committee to respond to questions, so as to address the Committee’s Terms of Reference (TOR).

Chairman Hon. Bird said the Committee will inquire into;

1. The powers, functions and responsibilities of the Electoral Commission and related matters;

2. The process involved in the conduct of the general election, with focus on the updating of the common roll, campaigning, voting, the counting, declarations, disputed returns process and related matters;

3. The expenditure of electoral funds, and related matters; and

4. The security provided by the Royal PNG Constabulary, the PNG Defence Force and the PNG Correctional Institution Services and related matters.

“This Committee wants to ensure that future elections are better than the last elections,” he said. “We want our people to be able to vote freely and fairly… this effort is all about protecting our democracy.”

He said the Committee is working towards producing and tabling its final report to Parliament by June this year, and was committed to ensuring that the recommendations were implemented accordingly.

Chairman Hon. Bird said the Committee was also exploring modern and innovative options to foolproof the voting process, so as to minimise manipulation.

Meanwhile, the public hearings will be streamed live on the official National Parliament website and social media platforms as well as via various media organisations.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WORK OF COMMITTEE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Phone: 3277785 / 3277781 |
Email: elections22committee.parliament@gmail.com |
Website: committees.parliament.gov.pg Follow us on: Special Parliamentary Committe on General Elections

« Back to News