MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to advise that the second phase of an Electoral Support Program for Papua New Guinea (PNG) is being launched today in Port Moresby. The $9 million Australian Government program will support PNG to build its capacity to conduct elections in 2007 and in the future.
PNG authorities have indicated that the 2007 national elections pose significant challenges for the government and broader community, particularly in the highlands region. Reforms to Papua New Guinea's electoral system are urgently needed to help ensure peace and stability during the electoral process and raise awareness of the important message that fair and proper elections are vital to maintaining and building democracy in PNG.
Under Phase One of the program, the PNG Electoral Commission prepared an electoral reform package which will strengthen the Commission's efforts in conducting fair elections.
Under Phase Two, the Commission will work closely with government and civil society networks to implement the reforms. In particular, it will carry out a campaign to reinforce awareness of processes for Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) amongst candidates and supporters, returning officers and polling staff, police, provincial and district administrators, correctional service officials, and voters.
In the past elections in PNG have been derailed by violence and instability. This support from the Australian Government will help to give Papua New Guineans the opportunity to vote in a well-run, accountable, properly administered and cost-effective electoral process.
The Electoral Support Program is designed to give ownership of the elections back to the people. Papua New Guineans will have the chance to learn that their rights and responsibilities go well beyond turning up to vote on election day.
Once people understand that the electoral process truly belongs to them, then there is hope that election violence and problems associated with vote-rigging and multiple-voting can become a thing of the past.
I commend the PNG Government and the PNG Electoral Commission for tackling this important reform challenge and taking the initiative to work with government agencies and community groups to overcome many of the security and logistics issues encountered in previous elections. The smooth operation of the 2007 election depends on Papua New Guineans working together.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590