THE Electoral Commission, in partnership with the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA), is working to improve the electoral roll before General Election 2027 (GE27).
Acting Electoral Commissioner Margaret Vagi said the commission plans to sign an agreement with DPLLGA to use ward recorders and the provincial administration system as part of the nationwide voter enrolment programme that starts next month.
“The GE27 will be a defining moment for Papua New Guinea,” she said in a statement.
“By working closely with DPLLGA and provincial administrations, we are building a transparent and accountable electoral process that ensures every citizen’s voice is heard.”
Vagi said that one of the key strategies from this collaboration would be the introduction of two enrolment agents to be recruited for every ward in the country to help with roll-out of the voter enrolment programme this year.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen grassroots participation, improve the accuracy of the electoral roll, and enhance public confidence in the process.
“Transparency and accountability are not just principles – they are practices we are embedding into every stage of the electoral cycle.
“The recruitment of ward enrolment agents is a practical step to ensure that enrolment is conducted fairly, openly, and with community involvement,” she said.
She added that the commission was committed to improving transparency, accountability, safety, capacity-building and public engagement ahead of GE27 through:
- CLEAR communication of procedures, timely publication of results, and open engagement with stakeholders;
- RIGOROUS monitoring, auditing, and reporting mechanisms to uphold electoral standards;
- CLOSE collaboration with law enforcement and community leaders to ensure a secure environment for voters and officials;
- TRAINING programmes for election officials to strengthen professionalism and impartiality; and,
- VOTER education campaigns to empower citizens with accurate information about their rights and responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Vagi told provincial administrators at a workshop hosted by DPLLGA in Port Moresby last month of the GE27 preparations.
She urged them to support the Electoral Boundaries Commission in their work to prepare voters in the six new electorates of Motu-Koita (National Capital District), Baniara (Milne Bay), Baining (East New Britain), Middle Sepik (East Sepik), Mendi Central (Southern Highlands) and Anglimp (Jiwaka), to go to the polls next year.
