Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 125: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 36: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments: The number of open electorates and of provincial electorates and their boundaries shall be determined by the Parliament in accordance with recommendations from the Boundaries Commission.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 26: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012);
Constitution, Section 125 (1): http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
f . Inherited monarchy with a Governor appointed by the Monarch
Comments: The Queen of the United Kingdom is the head of state. She appoints her representative, a Governor General based on the advice of the National Executive Council given in accordance with the decision of the parliament.
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 82, 87, 88: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Papua_New_Guinea_2014?lang=en (2014)
Verified: 2017/03/16
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime Minister shall be appointed, at the first meeting of the Parliament after a general election and otherwise from time to time as the occasion for the appointment of a Prime Minister arises, by the Head of State, acting in accordance with a decision of the Parliament.
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 142: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 82: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: the Parliament is a single-chamber legislature, consisting of a number of members elected from single-member open electorates, a number of members elected from single-member provincial electorates and not more than three nominated members.
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 100, 101: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
b . Alternative Vote
Comments: Limited Preferential Voting system: This system requires the voter to make three (3) choices of candidates. The candidates' numbers and names will appear on a Candidate Poster and a voter will then write either the names or candidate numbers of his/her three preferred candidates on the ballot paper.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 138, 139: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012);
Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation d . Regulations or administrative rules
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012);
Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012);
Electoral Law (National Elections) Regulation 2007: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/national_electoral_regulation_2007.pdf (2012);
Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003: http://www.ippcc.gov.pg/img/OLIPPCC03.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 2: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 50: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: The National Court respond to disputes relating to elections.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 206: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level c . Local level
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 73: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012);
Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 126: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments:
Source: The Public Finances (Management) Act 1995, Part VIII;
Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 5, 17: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
g . Other
Comments: The Electoral Commission is not subject to direction or control by any person or authority.
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 126 (6): http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: 6 years
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 9: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments: The Electoral Commission is not subject to direction or control by any person or authority.
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 126 (6): http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
d . Other
Comments: The Electoral Commission consists of the Electoral Commissioner and 78 staff members.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 5 (2): http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012);
Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
e . No Information Available
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 5: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State i . Other
Comments: The Electoral Commissioner shall be appointed by the Head of State, acting with and in accordance with the advice of the Electoral Commission Appointments Committee.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 5 (3): http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body h . Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Comments: The PNG Electoral Commission is running election roll awareness programs to assist voters in electoral enrollment with the EMB and local police departments.
Source: Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 126 (3): http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence
Comments: b) A citizen wishing to register to vote needs to have either lived in the electorate for 6 months or more, or have been born in the electorate or lived in the electorate for a period of 5 years at any time.
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 50 (1): http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012);
Electoral Law (National Elections) Regulation 2007, Section 24: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/llg_electoral_regulation_2007.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 15, 45: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law (National Elections) Regulation 2007, Section 25: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/llg_electoral_regulation_2007.pdf (2012);
Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 57: http://www.pngec.gov.pg:7780/i/pngec/organic_law.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Deposit requirement (specify amount) f . Other
Comments: Part 4, Div 1, Section 29 c) The name of the political party and any abbreviations; the name of the public officer; the postal address and physical location of where the main office is located, as well as any branches or affiliates; the names, addresses, and occupations of its executive officers and of its executive or controlling body and of the officers accountable for or otherwise handling or managing its money or property; the names and addresses of persons authorized to receive contributions and commit expenditures on its behalf; the names and addresses of persons authorized to commit the party and its branches to endorse and publicly support candidates at elections; the date of its incorporation; a copy of the constitution of the political party; the certificate of incorporation issued under the Associations Incorporation Act (Chapter 142); statutory declarations by Members of the Parliament who are members of the political party (if any) to the effect that they are members and are not members of any other political party; a statutory declaration by the public officer to the effect that: no non-citizens are members of the political party; and no non-citizens are in the employ of the political party or have been engaged, whether for gain or otherwise, to assist in any way in its campaign or work; a copy of the balance sheet and financial statements detailing assets and liabilities and income and sources of income; copy of the annual income tax return for the preceding year (if any) certified by the Internal Revenue Commission to be true and accurate.
Source: Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003, Section 27, 29: http://www.ippcc.gov.pg/img/OLIPPCC03.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence f . Registration
Comments: a) 25 years old;
d) A candidate must have lived in the area for 2 years or more prior to the election, or for a period of 5 years at any time.
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Section 103: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 85, 87: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003, Section 75, 82, 83, 86: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olotioppac2003542/(2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance e . Other
Comments: a) The Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission shall pay out of the Central Fund to each registered political party represented in the Parliament, the sum of K10, 000.00 for each Member of the Parliament who is a member of that registered political party.
e) If a female candidate was endorsed by a political party and received at least 10% of the votes cast the party can recover a portion of the money expended on her campaign.
Source: Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003, Section 82, 83: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olotioppac2003542/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003, Section 79, 80, 81: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olotioppac2003542/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
c . Special counting centres
Comments: c) Counting Centers within the electorate where the election was held.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 148: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments: 170.1) Subject to Subsections (4) and (5), where on the final count, the margin of votes between the candidate who polled the highest number of votes and the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes does not exceed 0.25% of the number of votes polled by the candidate who polled the highest number of votes, the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes may, at any time before the declaration of the result of the election, request the Returning Officer to re-count the ballot-papers contained in a parcel
212 d) The National Court may order a recount in an electorate. In addition, in certain cases, a candidate may request the Returning Officer to conduct a recount before the declaration of the result of the election.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 170, 212 (1.d): http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments: There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/(2017);
Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olotioppac2003542/ (2017);
Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There is no maximum amount.
According to the General Code of Ethics for News Media, in PNG it is common during political campaigns for politicians to offer cash allowances to reporters. If they or others seeking coverage wish to provide such assistance to the news media, it must be done openly through the parent media body and should be revealed in the news items produced.
Source: Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2012);
Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olotioppac2003542/ (2017);
Official Website of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngmediacouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=62 (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Papua_New_Guinea_2014?lang=en (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea: http://www.igr.gov.pg/constitution.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2017/03/16
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections (1997)
http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/
Verified: 2017/03/16
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections f . By mail
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 132 (1), 105 : http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country
Comments: Any citizen residing outside of the country may vote
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 98 (1.e): http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
e . By mail
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 98 (1.e): http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 139: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
Verified: 2017/03/16
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