This was discovered and highlighted in two research reports on election reforms by the National Research Institute Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen agreed with the findings while officially launching the two reports in Port Moresby this week.
Dr. Ray Anere, a senior research fellow with NRI who compiled the report, said there were widespread absences of a secret ballot and much interference and influence during the polling and counting processes in the last two general elections of 2002 and 2007.
Anere said the problems were centered on the electoral roll and voting system.
“A new common roll was developed for the 2007 national elections but remained vulnerable to manipulation and administrative inaccuracy at every stage of the enrolment and verification process,” said Anere. “It wasn’t necessarily a new common roll that was required but a new system for voter registration and identification to end multiple voting, prevent attempted manipulation of the roll and minimize administrative errors.”
Anere said the need for a watertight voter registration and identification system emerged as the most significant priority for PNG now.
Trawen agreed with the findings in the reports and said the challenging issue was the electoral roll.
Trawen said he will talk with relevant stakeholders and look at ways to improve the electoral roll and voting systems in the country for the next elections in 2012 to become better.
