21 Sep 2012

PNG election petitions at record high

6:50 pm on 21 September 2012

The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, the Opposition Leader Belden Namah and the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare are among the 28 MPs whose victories in the 2012 election are being challenged.

The other 83 MPs in the 111 seat Parliament will all face challenges.

The Post Courier reports this is the highest number of election petitions ever recorded in PNG.

In total, the newspaper reports, a total of 136 election petitions have been filed.

The most common complaint raised by the petitioners is the conduct and performance of the Electoral Commission in delivering the elections.

The complaints include polling sites and schedules not provided to candidates and their scrutineers, week-long delays in the counting of votes after the completion of polling, and many more.

Other common complaints include claims of undue influence and bribery by the successful candidates.