People’s National Congress Invited To Form PNG Government
The People’s National Congress Party of Peter O’Neill has been invited by Papua New Guinea’s governor-general to attempt to form government.
It is a formality extended to the party that emerges from the national election with the most MPselect in the 111-seat parliament. On Friday afternoon, the party had won over a quarter of the 88 seats declared, when PNG’s electoral commisioner, Patilias Gamato, returned the writs from the election to the governor-general, Bob Dadae.
However, results had still not been declared in 23 elecorates, leaving an unprecedented gap in the parliamentary make-up at the time the invitation to form government was extended.
Mr O’Neill attended the writs returning ceremony at Government House, alongside William Duma, leader of the United Resources Party, one of the groups the incumbent prime minister had forged an agreement with to form government. But their claim to a majority to govern will ultimately be tested next Friday when the new parliament meets to elect a prime minister.
Kidnap attempt on new MP
An attempt to kidnap a new MP in Papua New Guinea has been described as a new, desperate low for national politics.
Details have emerged about yesterday’s attempt by failed People’s National Congress party candidate David Arore to manhandle the new Ijivitari MP away from his National Alliance party colleagues.
This comes as the national election draws to a close, and these two opposing parties vie to form a coalition government when parliament begins next week.
The PNC is leading the party vote tally and, while still short of a majority, is hoping to form a government headed by O’Neill again.