PNG election flawed but acceptable — Observers

PORT MORESBY: Despite being marred by violence, vote-buying and flaws in the electoral roll, results from Papua New Guinea’s sprawling election should reflect the will of the people, observers said Monday.

Counting is underway after two weeks of voting in the vast and remote country ended Saturday, and the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) which monitored the polling gave a generally positive assessment.

“Our group is of the view that despite the considerable challenges with the common roll ... there were some positive aspects of the process and the results should reflect the wishes of the people who participated in the 2017 national elections,” COG head Anand Satyanand said in a statement.

Results are not expected for several weeks, but the Pacific nation’s leader, Peter O’Neill of the People’s National Congress (PNC), said Sunday that he was confident of victory.

“The people of our nation have now voted, and I look forward to more seats being declared and to begin the task of forming the next government of Papua New Guinea when parliament resumes in August,” he said.

Ahead of the polls, he cited his government’s achievements since being elected in 2012 as delivering on key infrastructure promises and providing free education and health in a crime-ridden country that remains mired in poverty.

His main threat is seen as Don Polye’s Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party, which accuses O’Neill of mismanagement and has reportedly claimed that polling in at least one electorate failed due to vote-rigging.

There are no opinion polls in PNG, so it is unclear who holds the advantage.