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2022 Papua New Guinean general election

Summary

General elections were held in Papua New Guinea from 4 to 22 July 2022 to elect the members of the National Parliament for a new five-year term.[1][2]

2022 Papua New Guinean general election
Papua New Guinea
← 2017 4–22 July 2022 Next →
All 118 seats in the National Parliament
60 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Seats +/–
Pangu Pati James Marape 39 +30
PNC Peter O'Neill 17 −11
URP William Duma 11 +1
NAP Allan Bird 6 −9
People's Party Peter Ipatas 4 +2
SDP Powes Parkop 4 +2
PFP Richard Maru 4 +4
PNG Party Belden Namah 3 −2
ULP Vacant 3 New
Advance PNG Muglua Dilu 2 New
National Party Kerenga Kua 2 −1
Liberal John Thomas Pundari 2 New
AP Bryan Kramer 1 New
PNG Greens Richard Masere 1 +1
MAP Joseph Yopyyopy 1 0
NGP Keith Iduhu 1 +1
ODP Puka Temu 1 0
PLP Luther Wenge 1 −1
PMC Gary Juffa 1 0
PPP Julius Chan 1 −4
PRP James Donald 1 New
Destiny Party Marsh Narawec 1 +1
THE Party Don Polye 1 −3
Independents – 10 −4
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
James Marape
Pangu Pati		 James Marape
Pangu Pati

Background edit

During the previous elections in 2017, the People's National Congress (PNC), led by prime minister Peter O'Neill, won a plurality, securing 28 seats. The National Alliance Party (NAP) won 15 seats; the United Resources Party (URP) secured ten seats whilst the Pangu Pati won nine. The People's Progress Party and the Papua New Guinea Party won five seats each, the Triumph Heritage Empowerment Rural Party secured four seats, whilst the National Party won three seats. The People's Labour Party (PLP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's Party won two seats each. Independents won 14 seats, and minor parties secured the remainder.[3] No women were elected, which made Papua New Guinea one of the few countries in the world at the time to have no female members of the national legislature.[4] Significant irregularities marred that election, with a minimum of sixteen electoral officials arrested for corruption.[5] The National Parliament re-elected Peter O'Neill as prime minister.[6]

In 2019, cabinet members and the ruling coalition began to express discontent toward O'Neill's leadership, with many defecting to the opposition.[7] O'Neill resigned from the premiership on 29 May after it became apparent that he would lose a vote of no confidence.[8]

James Marape, who served as O'Neill's minister of finance and had defected from the PNC to the Pangu Pati shortly before, was elected by the National Parliament to succeed O'Neill as prime minister.[9] In October 2019, Marape became the leader of the Pangu Pati.[10]

In December 2019, the autonomous region of Bougainville voted in a landslide for independence from Papua New Guinea. Due to the country's immense ethnic and linguistic diversity, some national parliament members feared that Bougainville's departure could inspire other regions to demand independence from Papua New Guinea.[11] In 2021, the autonomous region's president, Ishmael Toroama, announced that Bougainville would declare independence by 2027.[12]

Marape's government faced a crisis in November 2020 that saw the defection of numerous cabinet ministers and other coalition members to the opposition. Marape then attempted to pass an emergency budget in 2021 without the presence of the opposition. Although it passed, the supreme court declared the session unconstitutional. Marape then recessed parliament for four months to ensure he did not lose a vote of no confidence before the 2022 election.[13]

Deputy prime minister Sam Basil was killed in a car accident on 11 May 2022. His death, which occurred hours before nominations were scheduled to open, caused the electoral commission to delay the election until July.[14] Basil was succeeded by John Rosso, who was sworn in on 25 May.[15]

Electoral system edit

The 118 members of the National Parliament are elected from single-member constituencies by limited instant-runoff voting; voters are given up to three preferences, with a candidate declared elected once they received over 50% of preference votes.[16] Of the 118 members, 96 are elected from "open" seats and 22 from provincial seats based on the twenty provinces, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the National Capital District. The winners of the provincial seats also become the provincial governor.[17]

Vote counting began on 29 July. Due to the voting system, vote staggering and how rural much of the country is, the vote counting usually takes several weeks.

Campaign edit

The voting period, staggered from 9 to 22 July, is preceded by an official campaign period from 12 May to 8 July, during which over 3,000 candidates competed.[17]

Conduct edit

In early June Australia sent 130 troops to Papua New Guinea to assist with the electoral process in logistics and air transport to transfer election material throughout the country for the duration of the election and subsequent tallying process.[18]

Voting commenced on 4 July. Joseph Tondop, the police chief superintendent, warned voters not to engage in the practice of vote-buying. He also guaranteed that the presence of security forces would ensure that the elections would be "free, fair and safe and transparent".[19]

The Commonwealth of Nations sent a delegation headed by the former president of Nauru, Baron Waqa, to observe the electoral process.[20]

As in the previous election, significant issues arose once voting commenced.[21] Due to an outdated electoral roll, authorities turned away an estimated one million voters at polling stations throughout the country, which led to outrage among the denied voters, with individuals in the provinces of Hela and East Sepik responding by setting ballot papers ablaze and damaging ballot boxes.[13] Some polling stations reportedly used rolls from the 2017 or 2012 elections.[22] The electoral commission postponed voting on several occasions in Port Moresby due to logistical issues.[23] Many polling stations had insufficient ballot papers.[13]

Incidents of violence occurred with a young woman killed at a polling station allegedly by police while waiting to cast her vote. Witnesses claim the attack was unprovoked.[24]

Voting ended on 22 July.[25]

Preliminary results edit

Prime Minister James Marape and his Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso were easily re-elected to Parliament: The former obtained 66.8% of the votes from the first count in his constituency of Tari[26] and the second 50.09% of the votes at the first count in his constituency of Lae.[27] The Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Patrick Pruaitch (leader of the National Alliance Party), was beaten in his Aitape-Lumi constituency, which he had represented in Parliament from 2002. National People's Congress candidate, Anderson Mise, won this seat.[28] Peter O'Neill (leader of the National People's Congress), another major opposition figure and former Prime Minister, was re-elected in his constituency of Ialibu-Pangia.[29]

The Minister of Agriculture John Simon (Pangu Pati) was defeated in his constituency of Maprik, in the 26th round of vote counting, by the candidate of the National People's Congress, Gabriel Kapris, former Minister of Commerce and Industries.[30] Former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan (People's Progress Party) was re-elected governor and MP for the province of New Ireland, in the first count with 54.7% of the vote.[31] Another former prime minister, Paias Wingti (People's Democratic Movement), lost his post as governor of the Western Highlands province and as a member of parliament.[32]

While Parliament had no female MPs during the 2017-2022 legislature, two candidates were successful in the 2022 election. The economist Rufina Peter (National People's Congress) was elected MP and Governor of the Central Province; defeating the incumbent, Robert Agarobe (Pangu Pati).[33] Kessy Sawang (People First Party) won the Rai Coast Constituency.[34]

Allan Marat (Melanesian Liberal Party), a figure in the fight against corruption, MP since 2002 and former Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General, was beaten by only three votes in his constituency of Rabaul. He obtained, 49.99% against 50.01% for his opponent Graham Rumet of Pangu Pati. This was the closest result in the history of Papua New Guinea's parliamentary elections.[35]

Michael Marum, former coach of the Papua New Guinea rugby league team, was elected governor and MP for the province of East New Britain.[36] William Nakin, Member of Parliament for Bougainville-North for the National Alliance Party, was re-elected post-mortem, having died on 12 July during the ballot.[37]

 
PartySeats
Pangu Pati39
People's National Congress Party17
United Resources Party11
National Alliance6
People's Party4
Social Democratic Party4
People First Party4
Papua New Guinea Party3
United Labour Party3
Advance PNG Party2
National Party2
Liberal Party2
Allegiance Party1
Green Party1
Melanesian Alliance Party1
New Generation Party1
Our Development Party1
People's Labour Party1
People's Movement for Change1
People's Progress Party1
People's Reform Party1
Papua New Guinea Destiny Party1
Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party1
Independents10
Total118
Source: Development Policy Centre

Seats changing hands edit

Electorate Before election Swing After election
Party Member Margin Margin Party Member
Bougainville Provincial URP Joe Lera Pangu Peter Tsiamalli Jr.
Central Provincial Pangu Robert Agarobe PNC Rufina Peter
Chimbu Provincial URP Michael Dua Liberal Noah Kool
East New Britain Provincial PPP Nakikus Konga Independent Michael Marum
Eastern Highlands Provincial One Nation Peter Numu PNC Simon Sung Sing Sia
Jiwaka Provincial PP William Tongamp URP Simon Kaiwi
Madang Provincial PLP Peter Yama People First Ramsey Pariwa
Morobe Provincial Pangu Ginson Saonu PLP Luther Wenge
Western Highlands Provincial PDM Paias Wingti URP Wai Rapa

Aftermath edit

Following the elections, Marape was re-elected prime minister unopposed.[38]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Power in the hands of Papua New Guineans – the National". Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Commonwealth to observe Papua New Guinea's 2022 national elections". Commonwealth. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ "PNG Elections Database". devpolicy.org. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Women in national parliaments". IPU. 1 February 2019. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  5. ^ "NCD Election Manager Terrence Hetinu in Police Custody for Election Corruption". Papua New Guinea Today. 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  6. ^ Tlozek, Eric (2 August 2017). "PNG election: Controversial PM Peter O'Neill re-elected, promises election review". ABC. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Five PNG ministers have now quit as O'Neill government hit by crisis". Asia Pacific Report. 4 May 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  8. ^ "PNG prime minister Peter O'Neill resigns". RNZ. 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  9. ^ Lyons, Kate (30 May 2019). "Papua New Guinea MPs elect James Marape to be next prime minister". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  10. ^ "PNG's PM assumes leadership of Pangu Pati". RNZ. 11 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Bougainville voters back independence by landslide". The Standard. 11 December 2019. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Bougainville sets 2027 deadline for independence from Papua New Guinea". France 24. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  13. ^ a b c Braddock, John (18 July 2022). "Anger erupts in chaotic, drawn-out Papua New Guinea elections". World Socialist Website. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  14. ^ Nick Fogarty; Belinda Kora (12 May 2022). "Papua New Guinea's Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil dies, delaying general election". ABC. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  15. ^ Thomas Huliambari (26 May 2022). "Rosso Formally Sworn in as Deputy PM". EMTV. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  17. ^ a b "July 22 D-day for Papua New Guineans". The National. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  18. ^ O'Mallon, Finbar (12 June 2022). "Australian troops in PNG for election". Crikey. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  19. ^ "Voting starts in Papua New Guinea general elections". AP. Canberra. 4 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Commonwealth's election observers on duty in Papua New Guinea". The Commonwealth. 30 June 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Papua New Guinea conducts its worst election ever". The Economist. 11 August 2022. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  22. ^ "PNG voters angry after being turned away at the polling station". RNZ. 6 July 2022. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  23. ^ "PNG's capital residents shocked with second deferral of polling day". Asia Pacific Report. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  24. ^ McGuirk, Rod (15 July 2022). "Papua New Guinea police accused of killing woman at polls". AP. Canberra. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Violence-marred elections conclude in Papua New Guinea". La Prensa Latina. Sydney. 22 July 2022. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  26. ^ "Tari Open". Wikiwix. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Lae Open". Wikiwix. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  28. ^ "National Alliance Party leader Patrick Pruaitch unseated". Papua New Guinea Today. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Former PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill retains Ialibu-Pangia Open Seat". Papua New Guinea Today. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  30. ^ "PNC Candidate Gabriel Kapris unseats PNG Agriculture Minister John Simon". Papua New Guinea Today. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  31. ^ "PNG Elections : Sir Julius Chan retains New Ireland Provincial Seat". Papua New Guinea Today. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  32. ^ "Big Names fall in 2022". PNG Post Courier. 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  33. ^ "PNC Party's Woman Candidate, Rufina Peter wins Central Governor Seat". PNG Today. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  34. ^ "PNG Election : Female Candidate Kessy Sawang wins Raikos Open Seat". Papua New Guinea today. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  35. ^ "Rabaul Open". Wikiwix. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  36. ^ "Former PNG Kumuls Coach Michael Marum elected Governor of East New Britain". Papua New Guinea Today. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  37. ^ "2022 PNG Election Results : Declared Seats". One Papua New Guinea. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  38. ^ "James Marape returns as Papua New Guinea prime minister". RNZ. 10 August 2022. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.

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