THERE is concern that the PNG parliament might try to delay the mid-year election by delegitimising the appointment of electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen last year.
Papua New Guinea's National Parliament Building in Port Moresby
Trawen is an advocate of hosting the election as planned, while parliament has already voted to delay it by six months.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill promised not to go ahead with that decision to a protesting crowd of thousands right after the Easter weekend – which has only added to the confusion.
A source aligned to the camp of ex-PM Sir Michael Somare told PNGIndustryNews.net of yet another possible election-related development.
“I understand that an appointment committee meeting was held today to find flaws in the appointment of the electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen,” the source said.
In what could be seen as a pre-emptive counter offensive, the official government paperwork over the appointment was also provided as a pdf document.
The aim is clearly to provide proof that Trawen’s appointment – six months before the emergence of the O’Neill-Namah government – is legitimate.
This pdf is available under related links and downloads to the right of your screen.
The O’Neill-Namah government has ousted a series of senior government officials and state-owned enterprise executives since it came to power in early August.
Election chief in the firing line: source
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