16 May 2012

Date of PNG elections agreed upon by all groups at special parliament sitting

9:12 am on 16 May 2012

In Papua New Guinea, all government coalition partners as well as the Opposition are now united, and want the 2012 general election to proceed now rather than later following a special parliament sitting.

The deputy prime minister and leader of PNG Party, Belden Namah, who was one of those who wanted the polls to be deferred by at least six months, has now thrown his support behind prime minister Peter O'Neill for a June election.

The other government coalition parties backing the June poll are Don Polye's THE Party, People's Progress Party led by Sir Julius Chan, Bart Philemon's New Generation Party, Social Democratic Party led by Powes Parkop, and Peter Ipatas' People's party.

The Post Courier says opposition parties include National Alliance led by Sir Michael Somare and Pangu Pati and Melanesian Alliance headed by Andrew Kumbakor and Sam Akoitai respectively.

However, the issue of Writs on Friday may have another legal hurdle to contend with after Commissioner Andrew Trawen was served court orders on Monday by two Southern Highlands regional candidates seeking to stop him from issuing the Writs.

Mr Trawen is due to appear before the Waigani National Court this morning.