Four MPs still T.H.E members

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 25, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

AS far as official recognition goes for the four MPs that tendered in their resignations from the Triumph Heritage Empowerment (THE) Party- the Registry of Political Parties still maintains that they had still not met the requirements to be removed from the party listing at the registry.

Registrar of the Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu has maintained that there has not been any official notification from the four; Member for Kiriwina-Goodenough and Forest Minister Douglas Tomuriesa, Tambul Nebilyer MP Benjamin Poponawa, Ijivitari MP David Arore, and Sohe MP and Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology Delilah Gore.

“They must inform us before they switch, there are processes to follow through before we can officially recognise their resignation,” Dr Gelu said.

“Our list of members of political parties in parliament can only be altered once the proper procedures have taken place.”

“They have to write to the party they are resigning from, and they must also right to the party whom they want to join who must accept them- all these documents should be brought to us before the listings can be changed.”

Dr Gelu stated that the registry respected the constitutions of parties that governed the issue of such nature, adding when asked that there were no penalties involved, however, the lack of proper process has deemed the moved unofficial.

“It is not difficult, it is simple- once the paper work is done we will have it filed and that will enable us to update the listings,” he said.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Gelu said his office still had not received any letters, as of close of business on Friday, from the four MPs on where they were intending to go, stating that it was important that they comply with the administrative process.