Friday, December 9, 2016

Political Parties get funding form Registry Office

This year saw 10 Political Parties receive funding totaling K820, 000 from the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC). The funding was presented to the executives of the parties by the Chairperson of the IPPCC, Dr Orovu Sepoe along with the Registrar of Political Parties Dr. Alphonse Gelu on the 6th of October 2016 during the 3rd Learning and Development Training Workshop for Executives of Political Parties at the Registry of Political Parties Office.

These 10 parties have qualified for funding after meeting the requirements of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (OLIPPAC).

The funding for political parties is for the purpose of funding to political parties as per the OLIPPAC only after they (parties) submit their annual financial returns by March 31st in each year and only when the Commission is satisfied with the information contained in the party’s financial statements. These funds are appropriated for in the National Budget for each year and a calculated by way of K10, 000 per Member of Parliament

 
Party
Funding
1
People’s National Congress Party
K520,000
2.
National Alliance Party
K110,000
3.
People’s Progress Party
K60,000
4.
People’s Party
K40,000
5.
New Generation Party
K20,000
6.
PANGU Party
K20,000
7.
 People’s Democratic Party
K20,000
8.
Stars Alliance Party
K10,000
9.
Melanesia Liberal Party
K10,000
10.
PNG Party
K10,000
 
                                                                     TOTAL:
K820,000


A total of 18 political were eligible for funding, however three parties-Christian Democratic Party, Melanesian Alliance Party and United Resources Party did not qualify for funding. This is as a result of the three parties whose members have just joined the party. As stipulated under Section 85 of the Organic Law; a member of a political party must be with the Party for a period of 6 months or more to be qualified for funding. Members that join the party and are with the party for less than 6 months will not be eligible for funding

Three Parties did not submit their financial report; they are People’s United Assembly; Peoples Movement for change and Social Democratic Party This is stipulated under section 86 of the OLIPPAC

Two Parties were late submitting their financial returns; they are Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party and United Resources Party.

Submission of financial returns by all Political Parties is a requirement under Section 88 of the Organic Law; this also applies to Political Parties with no representative in Parliament.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Empowering Women and Strengthening Political Parties Workshop

By Solomon Puana
Hon Member for Sohe, Delilah Gore at the workshop

The Empowerment of Women and Strengthening Political Parties (EW&SPP) workshop was held in Port Moresby, National Capital District from October 25th to the 26th, 2016. The two day workshop by the Registry of Political Parties with support from Australian Labor International (ALI), United Nationas Development Program (UNDP) and New Zealand Aid was an initiative to assist Political parties to identify issues and take specific actions to empower women within their own political parties and across the three phases of the electoral cycle which is before and during elections and within their party organization in terms of constitutions, policies, membership, financial assistance, awareness and training, security, etc. The main purpose for the workshop is to strengthen political parties and democracy in PNG through the political empowerment of women and increased representation of women in the National Parliament.

The workshop was privileged to have Minister for Department of Community Development and Member for Sohe Open - Hon. Delilah Gore, Australian Labor International representatives Mr. Elias Hallaj and Dr Lesley Clark, UNDP’s Ms Lotte Geunis and Julie Bukikun, Ms Kathleen Pearce from New Zealand High Commission, The Chairman of Registry of Political Parties Commission from Solomon Islands Sir Paul Tovua and Rev. Philemon Tili, the Convener from State, Society and Governance in Melanesia (SSGM) – ANU, Dr Julian Barbara of the Center for Democratic Institution (CDI), Richelle Tickle of the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Program (PWSPD), Dr Angela Mandie - Filer and Registry of Political Parties Chairperson Dr Orovu Sepoe.

Out of the 34 registered Political Parties, only 10 political parties that have members in parliament were invited to attend the workshop, however only 9 were able to attend. The political parties were requested to bring three participants each, at least one being a woman. This includes women representatives or executives from each of the parties. Also in attendance were 4 women intending candidates endorsed by political parties and a women MP to participate in the workshop. Participants included the Registry staff, political party executives, Australian Labor Party, UNDP, New Zealand Aid, Center for Democratic Institution (CDI), SSGM – Australian National University (ANU) and a senior officer from PNG National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). NBC is seen as one of the key stakeholders where they disseminate and publish the outcome of the workshops and create an opportunity for political party executives to promote their party policies. Also present were other media personnel namely EMTV, the National and TVWAN. During the second day of the workshop the media interviewed selected participants to talk about issues regarding women’s participation in politics and their preparations towards the 2017 National Elections.

Presenters during the workshop included the Chairperson of the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission Dr Orovu Sepoe, the Registrar of Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu, Hon. Delilah Gore, Dr Lesley Clark and Elias Hallaj of Australian Labor International (ALI), Dr Nicole Halley of SSGM - ANU, Dr Julian Barbara of CDI, Lotte Geunis and Julie Bukikun from UNDP and political party executives and women representatives.

The Workshop was officially opened by Registrar of Political Parties Dr. Alphonse Gelu and welcoming remarks by Chairperson of the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission, Dr. Orovu Sepoe stating that the workshop is the beginning of a dialogue between political parties and stakeholders. She added that Politics is about decision making and how decisions are implemented. There is an existence of a perception gap between voters and parliamentarians.

The Chairman of the Registry of Political Parties Commission of the Solomon Islands, Sir Paul Tovua stated that the Solomon Islands will be learning a lot from PNG. He further elaborated that in the Solomon Islands there are a total of 13 registered political parties and only 6 out of the 13 political parties are in Parliament. The legislative measures are underway in encouraging women’s participation in parliament. In Solomon Islands only 3 women have been elected into parliament since independence.

 

Monday, September 19, 2016

Change in the voting system of PNG


By Dr Alphonse Gelu

The Registry in 2015 instituted a study to look at a voting system that is friendly towards political parties rather than the candidates. It is the interest of the Registry to do this under its mandate as stipulated by the Organic Law which is to strengthen political parties in the country.

 

The Registry requested the National Research Institute (NRI) under the late Dr Ray Anere to lead the study. Dr Anere teamed up with a couple of resource persons from the University of Papua New Guinea, the team completed the major part of the studies. The study came to a stop after the passing of the Late Dr Anere. In 2016, the Registrar Dr Gelu decided to re-activate the study by engaging Dr Henry Okole, a political scientist by profession to complete the study. Dr Okole has far reaching knowledge and experience in the area of elections and would deliver according to the ToR.

 

The main Terms of Reference (ToR) for the study is to look at a number of countries that are a currently using a voting system that allows the voters to cast their votes on political parties rather than candidates. The number of candidates winning under such a voting system would be determined purely on the total number of votes that the party scores in an election which would then translate into the number of seats a party wins in the Parliament.

 

The three countries that the study looked at were New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Fiji has the most interesting voting system where the entire country becomes the only electorate. Votes are given to parties which are then translated into seats in Parliament. The Registry aims to pay a visit to Fiji to take a close look at this system however funding is an issue. The Registry is thinking of requesting assistance from its stakeholders for assistance to enable it to look at the voting systems first hand.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Rait FM's on the internet

Listening to PNG music abroad or domestically is hard to come by especially when radio stations do not go on live stream on the internet. The only station that did that was the catholic’s Radio Maria which can be heard via internet streaming. Another station to join the family to that tune was CHM’s Rait Fm. In a recent launch on its apps, listeners can download the app on google playstore or apple’s itune store. What this means is that the audience is now broader. Internationally and domestic listeners that do not have the wireless coverage can now listen to Rait Fm’s live stream.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

UN Concert 2016 & Bougainville Day


Sepik Dancers

UN CONCERT 2016 
The annual United Nation's Concert hosted by the Port Moresby International High School (POMIS)  was a success. Staged at the Sir John Guise Indoor complex came alive to the musical concert with lots of choreographic moves that kept the crowd entertained to the end. This year marks the 40 years of the International Education Agency (IEA) schools in the country. This saw all Port Moresby based IEA schools participated in this anniversary. >>Click here for more PICS

Bougainville Day in Port Moresby


BOUGAINVILLE DAY
On the same day the Bougainvilleans where celebrating the Bougainville Day at the Constitution Park in Port Moresby.>> Click here for more PIC..


Saturday, May 21, 2016

Late Checcinato Gisawa's Haus Krai

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) compound community as well as friends and relatives were there to farewell the late Checcinato’s body before leaving for his home province of Milne Bay. The sudden passing of this healthy young boy shocked the local community but especially for those who knew him well. He passed away on the 18th of May 2016 after a short illness and would be laid to rest on Woodlark Island on Monday the 23rd of May 2016. Pictured here are the NFA community, Woodlark, Trobriand, Misima, Dobu, friends and relatives of the family. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICS.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Late Togo Panta's Haus Krai

The late Togo Panta worked with Steamships company until his ultimate death.He was the captain for Moresby Chief and worked with the company for 20 years. Picture here are Misima group, friends, relatives, wantoks and the badili Steamships community paying their last respect before the body is flown back to his home province of Milne Bay, Panapompom Island, Click here for more pictures (Haus Krai)

Following the burial and a couple of weeks later the Haus Krai had to be taken off. The event was hosted on the 4th of June 2016. Click here for the "RAUSIM HAUS KRAI"Photos


Bi- Elections for Samarai Murua 2016

At a recent campaign trail of the Bi-Election for Samarai Murua seat. Here a political party is introducing its candidates to the public on Misima Island, Bwagaoia , Milne Bay Province. This came about as the sitting member , Gordon Wesley’s election was challenged soon after the election in 2012. The seat was made null and void in 2016 and a bi election was ordered by the court that same year.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

FAILURE BY POLITICAL PARTIES TO RE-ENERGISE THEMSELVES AND RE-ALIGN THEIR ACTIVITIES

By Dr Alphonse Gelu
While the Registry is planning a number of activities in 2016 to promote political parties, the Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu is still concern about the lack of interest and promise shown by some political parties. Dr Gelu is concern especially with the smaller parties who many do not have Members in Parliament. These small parties are weak on many fronts and they have been continuously reminded to re-organise themselves in order for them to contribute and participate in the discussions concerning national and international issues. They also need to “pull up their socks” when participating in forums organised by the Registry. These small parties have been the target for Dr Gelu and the Registry since 2013. The Learning and Development Workshops that the Registry has delivered to all the parties since 2013 is working for some parties while others have not learned anything and have not embraced what Dr Gelu has been reminding them about and what is important for them to enable them to function effectively. To be a real serious player in the elections and in our system of parliamentary democracy, these smaller parties as well some bigger ones who are currently in government must make sure that they have the following in place; Well drawn up party structure Have all the executives in place – President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. It is simply unthinkable to have a party without any of these executive members. Party must have an address and location for its operations Must have a updated constitution Must have updated party policies Must have membership throughout the country Must at least have some funds in place These are the most important things that all political parties must have in order for them to be competitive in the political cycle of the country. Without some or any of the above then the country would continue to have small groupings that would not have any impact on the development of the country. This is the message that Dr Gelu has been expressing since 2013.

Change in the voting system in Papua New Guinea

By Dr Alphonse Gelu
The Registry in 2015 instituted a study to look at a voting system that is friendly towards political parties. It is the interest of the Registry to do this under its mandate as stipulated by the Organic Law which is to strengthen political parties in the country. The Registry requested the National Research Institute (NRI) under the late Dr Ray Anere to lead the study. Dr Anere teamed up with a couple of resource persons from the University of Papua New Guinea, the team completed the major part of the studies. The study came to a stop after the passing of the Late Dr Anere. In 2016, the Registrar Dr Gelu decided to re-activate the study by engaging Dr Henry Okole, a political scientist by profession to complete the study. Dr Okole has far reaching knowledge and experience in the area of elections and would deliver according to the ToR. The main Terms of Reference (ToR) for the study is to look at a number of countries that are a currently using a voting system that allows the voters to cast their votes on political parties rather than candidates. The number of candidates winning under such a voting system would be determined purely on the total number of votes that the party scores in an election which would then translate into the number of seats a party wins in the Parliament. The three countries that the study looked at were New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Fiji has the most interesting voting system where the entire country becomes the only electorate. Votes are given to parties which are then translated into seats in Parliament. The Registry aims to pay a visit to Fiji to take a close look at this system however funding is an issue. The Registry is thinking of requesting assistance from its stakeholders for assistance to enable it to look at the voting systems first

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Little township of Sogeri

Little township of Sogeri some 45 minutes drive out of Port Moresby has its historic and tourism attributes thats makes it a must for Port Moresby residents to visit. Not only does it has its significants but it also is the source of water and power for the eight hundred thougsand residents. Taking a trip up to Sogeri is always a delight especially after a hectic week. The pristine blue mountain and crystal clear water running down the sloppy rough edges of the rugged cliffs along the highway always brings back the mother nature atmosphere. For this occasion it was an unexpected one as a colleague of mine wanted to drive up to visit a relative and had no one to accompany him. The roads just recently sealed and in spic conditions made driving a lot less of a hassle than it were a couple of years ago when it was marred with pot holes. The little township has changed over the years and recently the national high was given the status “school of excellence” and the infrastructure upgraded and rebuilt. The high school (Iarowari) has been fenced and is now given the secondary status. The little clinic that has served the community for many many years has had its building upgraded thanks to the "Kokoda Initiative". The road itself is in a immaculate condition .

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Registry wins finals in the Public Service Netball competition

The Registry of Political Parties team 2 made it through to the knock outs and then to the grand finals to eventually win their first ever grand finals for organisation. The team debut in 2015 in division 7 with captain Henao lister manage shrug off critics and do the Registry proud. The team led from the beginning till to the end at full time. At one stage the margin was one point but due to the determination, the team manage to keep the gap within two to three points.The team eventually won with scores at 19-21.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

2017 National General Election dates for Papua New Guinea

The Papua New Guinea National General Election tentative dates was announced by the Electoral Commissioner during a press conference in Port Moresby. The dates are as follows: The following are the tentative dates for Elections; 1. Writs Issues and Nominations (4:00pm) – Thursday 20th April 2017 2. Nomination Close – Thursday 27th April 2017 3. Polling Period Starts – Saturday 24th June 2017 4. Polling Period Ends – Saturday 8th July 2017 5. Return of Writ On or Before – Monday 24th July 2017 6. Return of Writs for LLG Election – Monday 7th August 2017 The Calculation Dates are as follows; · Nomination Period (7) Days – 20th to 27th April 2017 · Campaign Period (8) Weeks – 20th April to 8th July 2017 · Polling Period (14) Days – 24th June to 8th July 2017

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Registry promoting Political Parties

The theme for 2016 is promoting Political Parties. At the end of 2015 in the final Learning and Development workshop held in Port Moresby, the Registrar for Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu informed the participants and public in general that 2016 was an year of promoting parties and stated that the drive to promote this concept will begin as early as January. Insert is a poster of this promotion that will be feature in the print media as well as banners and pin up posters.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Singing into 2016

The new year came with a very spirited singing of mostly hyms and chorus sung in the Misima dialect. Joining the excitement was Madeline and her family who were the neighbors along Angau Drive at 3 mile. The singing went throughout the whole night into day break 2016.Click here for more pics