PNG leader launches major electoral system review

7:22 pm on 13 June 2018

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has launched a major review of the country's electoral system.

Members of parliament stand to the right of the speaker (R) to approve the vote of Peter O'Neill as prime minister in Port Moresby on August 3, 2012.

Photo: AFP/Ness Kerton

The Constitutional and Law Reform Commission is to spend 18 months conducting public consultations around the country to review the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections.

The inquiry will look at a range of issues, including the electoral roll, the polling system, bounadaries, representation for women and the voter identification system.

The Post Courier reported Mr O'Neill saying this was an important exercise for the country to ensure elections were delivered in a more orderly manner and that the outcomes represent the wishes of the people.

He said the review was not designed to suit the government of the day or one political party.

Mr O'Neill had previously spoken of his support for a return to first past the post instead of the limited preferential voting, or LPV that Papua New Guinea brought in 2007.

He said LPV can be more expensive and time consuming.