Papua New Guinea eyes urgent Electoral Reforms for 2027 Elections

The urgent need to reform Papua New Guinea's democratic process to safeguard electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 National General Elections has been emphasized.

Administrative Services Minister Richard Masere says the challenges experienced during the 2022 elections highlighted the critical need for legislative reforms and a strong administration to ensure that future elections are transparent, fair, and inclusive.

The Minister further highlighted that democratic values of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability are essential pillars that must be woven into the electoral system.

“Our electoral process is the foundation of our democracy,” he stated.

“As we look towards 2027 and beyond, establishing electoral integrity as a cornerstone of good governance is important.”

The 2022 National General Elections exposed severe flaws in PNG’s electoral process, including inadequate administrative oversight, insufficient funding, legislative gaps, and security concerns.

These issues, Mr Masere argued, hindered the efficient delivery of a fair electoral process.

However, he assured that the government is actively collaborating with international partners, such as Australia and India, to address these weaknesses and improve electoral security.

“The government remains committed to peaceful elections. The PNG Electoral Commission, alongside key government agencies, must foster a safe environment for the democratic process,” he added.

Key areas identified for improvement include voter registration, identification mechanisms, public awareness campaigns, and the strategic integration of technology.

PNG’s Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai acknowledged that while substantial challenges persist, the conference marks a significant step in refining the election system.

“Today’s conference is a turning point,” Mr Sinai said.

“It’s a time to critically assess our strengths and weaknesses, laying out a roadmap to guide our mandate and improve our election administration in PNG.”

As the nation moves forward, the call for swift, concrete action remains clear.

Papua New Guinea must overhaul its electoral framework to uphold its democratic values and restore public confidence in the electoral process.