AAP
PAPUA NEW GUINEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS have raised the prospect of delaying the June 2012 elections.
The government has questioned figures in the electoral commissioner's report, tabled in parliament last week.
The report by Electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen on poll preparations says the electoral roll is about 60% complete, covering 2.4 million of four million eligible voters.
However, leader of government business Moses Maladina told parliament some of the figures were incomplete.
"I have since received independent reports that this is not correct," Mr Maladina said, reading a statement by Waka Goi, an MP charged with reporting to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on preparedness for the elections.
"The electoral commissioner admitted that there were some pockets within [the Southern, New Guinea Islands and Momase] regions, which were still incomplete."
Mr Maladina also said he had received independent reports that electoral rolls for the nation's 89 open electorates had not been returned to many electorates. Mr Trawen could not be reached for comment.
Former Attorney General Sir Arnold Amet told the chamber he would consider supporting a temporary suspension of the elections if it meant they would be free and fair.
A non-government MP, Sir Arnold told parliament he would support a bipartisan push to suspend the election.
"Forty percent at this point is grossly unacceptable," he said. "It may be in the whole nation's interest that the elections be deferred for an appointed time."
Comments