Political parties that receive foreign funding will be penalised and referred to the Ombudsman Commission, says Political Parties Registrar Emmanuel Pok.
Pok told The National that political parties will face tighter scrutiny over their finances ahead of the 2027 election.
“Parties with any hidden or foreign funding will be penalised and referred to the Ombudsman Commission,” he said.
Pok said that authorities would check all 44 political parties’ (12 parties were deregistered) bank accounts and annual returns to ensure compliance with the law.
“The law doesn’t allow hidden and outside influence into our elections.
“We check bank accounts and annual returns.
“If we suspect outside influence, we flag it and hold parties accountable.”
Pok said Papua New Guinea’s laws prohibited foreign governments, non-citizens and external organisations from funding political parties. And all parties must declare their funding sources or face penalties.
“Recent amendments to the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates, passed in Parliament on March 24, are aimed at strengthening party accountability, funding transparency and compliance,” Pok said.
“Awareness on the new laws will be conducted after June to ensure parties understand their obligations.
“One of the key reform requires at least 10 per cent of party-endorsed candidates to be women.
“That is now legislated.
“Workshops will be held next week to educate political parties on the women’s quota and broader reforms.
“As democratic institutions, they must be inclusive and support women’s political leadership,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pok met with the acting Electoral Commission Commissioner Margaret Vagi yesterday to discuss a code of ethics to guide political parties, candidates and supporters in the GE27.
