Ensure that candidates are properly screened

Transparency International PNG (TI PNG) has called on the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) to amend the election laws so that it makes it mandatory for candidates to be screened before their nominations are accepted.

TI PNG Chair Mike Manning also called on Parliament to seriously consider accepting such an amendment to allow for more accountable and transparent elections.

His comments come after media reports said that William Skate (Jnr) is under 25 years old and not eligible to contest the National Capital District (NCD) by-election.

"Current processes where the PNGEC relies on the nomination form for the age of the candidate, and the returning officer is not required to verify that age, is one that will allow dishonest candidates to run. Dishonest leaders are certainly not the kind of leaders we want," Mr Manning said.

Before the polling for the by-election began, Mr Manning had also warned of reports that certain candidates may not be at the age required by law to be a candidate and had called on the PNGEC to ensure that people were fully and properly qualified before their nominations were accepted.

He also questioned how Daniel Mapiria, formerly with the National Gaming Board where he was convicted of an offence, and serving a suspended sentence, has been allowed to run as a candidate in Koroba/Kopiago electorate in Southern Highlands.

Mr Manning questioned the motives of candidates who nominated with the full knowledge that they did not meet the criteria.

"Such people are cynically and deliberately breaking the law. What sort of leader would they be if they were ever elected?" Mr Manning said.