Where to get PNG Electoral Roll 2022?

Updating the electoral common roll was (and is still) a challenging task the electoral commission has had to endure. Leaving it until the last minute is going to make things difficult. The 2022 electoral common roll update began late in September 2021.

• With Peter O'Neill and James Marape on the campaign trails, who are the 'dark horses' in the race for the PM seat after the 2022 election? See the latest article on the best candidate for PNG's PM role.

The 2017 electoral common roll was the worst in PNG's election history. 

Roll inflation and ghost names have marred the last election. 

But, is PNG looking forward to a free and fair election in 2022?

2022 national general election electoral common roll updates

Since 2019, NGOs and political commentators suggested the 2022 electoral roll update be done swiftly. However, the preparations for the roll update were delayed to September 2021 and work began in December 2021. 

The PNG electoral commission said that they are ready, but this was the same thing they said in 2017. Yet in some parts of the Highlands region, the electoral roll was inflated to over 70% of the population.

The 2017 electoral roll update was the worst in PNG's election history because it was riddled with ghost names and names of children under the age of 18. 

The recent by-election for Port Moresby North-west had the same problem where some residents do not have their names on the common roll. 

One observer wrote...

Some frustrations from voters whose names were not on the electoral roll but otherwise an orderly process at the polling stations I visited in Hohola and Waigani this morning. [Keith Scott @KeithScottFCDO, Twitter]

2022 electoral roll updates & validation

What is needed is not only an electoral roll update - but an update and validation. So that everyone living and residing in the electoral is accounted for. 

This can be done. The electoral commission does not need an additional K112 million to do that. It can do this within its budgetary allocation.

Get a competent team to do it.

PNG electoral roll search 2022

PNG Electoral Commission Electoral Roll 2022 should be ready. Yet, there's no clear indication of where to get the latest (updated) roll. Here is what you can do to get the 2022 updated electoral roll.

The EC is the right place to check if you are an intending candidate wanting to know your electoral voting population. Talk to the provincial returning officer (PRO) and district returning officer (DRO). They are representatives of the electoral commission - the right people to get the updated list from.

Alternatively, you can also check the 2017 electoral (common) roll at the PNG EC website - follow this link >> https://www.pngec.gov.pg/irc/roll-lookup/RollLookUp

PNG roll lookup 2022 app

Smartphone users can download the PNG Roll Lookup 2022 on Google play.

• Go to the Google play store
• Search for "PNG Roll Lookup 2022"
• Install the app and search for your name.

Rush roll updates and no validation affect free and fair elections

As mentioned, any new government formed after the election has to make the electoral roll update its number 1 priority. 

This is will pave the way for a free and fair election in the future. 

2022 PNG elections electoral common roll update - TIPNG PRESS RELEASE

TIPNG AIRS CONCERNS OVER ELECTION READINESS, PROVINCIAL ELECTION STEERING COMMITTEES, AND ONGOING DELAYS TO PNG ELECTORAL ROLL UPDATE 

With the PNG Electoral Roll Update exercise further deferred to December 2021 and January 2022, Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) is now calling the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) and the 22 Provincial Administrations across PNG to urgently establish active Provincial Election Steering Committees (PESCs). Proper arrangements need to be put in place now to avoid the risk of excluding a large segment of unregistered and first-time voters wanting to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming 2022 National General Elections. 

TIPNG has carried out provincial election awareness and community outreach and when in the various provinces has learned that with only 20 weeks remaining before the scheduled issue of writs for the 2022 National Elections, a majority of provinces have yet to establish functioning PESCs. 

According to Section 3 of the PNGEC terms of reference for Provincial Elections Steering Committees, PESCs are established for the purpose of “building local capacity and coordinating resources across government to assist the PNGEC in planning and delivery of the elections in the province, including electoral roll maintenance and community awareness.” Apart from key government departments within a province, a functioning PESC must also include at least one representative from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Chamber of Commerce, and Churches within the province. 

“The role of effective PESCs within the scope of national election coordination is absolutely crucial. It is very concerning to learn that with only five short months remaining before the issue of writs, many provinces are still a long way from where they need to be in terms of coordination and preparedness. Furthermore, the ongoing delay to the electoral roll update exercise is very concerning. More effective collaboration between government and other key community stakeholders is crucial if we are to deliver a successful election, and the PESC is currently the most effective framework for facilitating this collaboration,” said TIPNG Board Chair, Peter Aitsi. 

The effectiveness of the PESC model has been clearly demonstrated in examples such as the East New Britain (ENB) PESC. Which earlier this year identified the need for additional resources, and made arrangements to provide these resources through the Provincial Administration. ENB has since completed updating its provincial electoral roll and is now ready for the next phase of the National General Elections in 2022. Other provinces such as Milne Bay have now proposed the use of updated ward registry data to speed up the Electoral Roll update exercise within the province. 

“While the timeframe is less than ideal, we (TIPNG) believe that there are ways that we can make a comprehensive roll update possible. PESCs need to be a lot more active in convening and assessing the opportunities available to them in their respective provinces, and acting on these opportunities for the sake of our people. The conduct of the elections is not the sole responsibility of the PNGEC. We must all play our part and take ownership of this democratic process, to ensure a better future for our people and our communities,” Mr. Aitsi said.

Source:  TIPNG PRESS STATEMENT | WEDNESDAY 8th DECEMBER 2021 [Facebook]

Image @ TIPNG FB page

How to write a good candidate profile - structure and detail is what you need

Are you an intending candidate or want to write a candidate profile for someone? Here is How to write a good candidate profile. Like any formal document, you need to get two vital components right: structure and detail.

The executive summary is, possibly, an important part of a candidate's profile. Realistic achievements, as well as visions, must be included.

A profile is about a particular person’s experiences, achievements and visions. If you want to portray yourself (or someone) as a potential leader the balance between the two components is necessary. 

The structure in your profile is like a ‘pathway’ down history lane. So make sure the profile has clear correlations - able to lead the readers well.

At the same time, ensure that you point out the important experiences and achievements. That’s where the detail comes in. Know what is important – what’s needed including and what’s irrelevant.

Candidate Profile - Example of Structure

• 1. Cover letter
• 2. Introduction (of the candidate)
• 3. Executive summary (a brief of candidate’s experiences and achievements and how they tie in with party’s policies)
• 4. Contact detail
• 5. Experience
• 6. Achievement/Qualification
• 7. Referees
• 8. Other useful information
• 9. Attachment (include photo pieces of evidence of your works in the village, qualification, etc…)

2022 Election Candidate PROFILE CHECKLIST

Here are 23 pieces of factual information you needed in order to give detail to candidates' profiles. We break the details down so that you can personalise them as you please.

Part 1: Candidate's Personal details

1. Personal detail Full Name (As it appears on the common roll), DOB as shown on the Birth Certificate, Place Birth, Age, Place of Origin, Clan Name, Tribe Name, LLG, District, Province, Marital Status, Spouse Name, Children’s Name(s).
2. Tertiary Education:
3. Secondary Education:
4. High School Education:
5. Primary Education:
6. Your Specialised Field:
7. Current Occupation:

Part 2: Financial Standing and Eligibility

1. Your current Annual Salary:
2. List down assets you own with their estimated value:
3. How long were you in the district or province?
4. Have you made your intentions known yet? If yes, how did you do it?
5. What is the current total eligible voting population of your District?
6. What is your estimated percentage of preferential 1 vote you will acquire?
7. What is your base vote (P1) in terms of numbers against the total voting population?
8. List down your main reason(s) why you want to contest?
9. What would be your best personality that will be used in your campaign?
10. How are you different from the current sitting MP and of the other intending candidates?
11. What is the level of your understanding of the systems and processes of governance (Westminster System)? Fair, Good, Excellent?

Part 3: Political Influence and Popularity

1. How many influential figures in the district are supporting you? Name at least 10 together with their villages.
2. Are you popular in your area? What really made you a popular figure? List down your development goals to achieve after 5 years if elected.
3. Have you done anything out of the ordinary to help your people in the village? If yes, please briefly state them.
4. Please give us your reasons why you chose to contest under our party?
5. How much money would you need from the party to support you in this election? 

Having said that, your chances of securing a political party backing is higher when/if you know the party officials or some influential figure who can voice for you, a referee. 

More help is available here. Get in touch, leave a comment below.