Story totally misleading: Gelu

Caption: Dr Alphonse Gelu

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 18, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates, Dr Aphonse Gelu, has refuted a report made by daily newspaper, Post Courier, on the eligibility of senior politician and former prime minister Sir Michael Somare to the PMs post.

He said that the front page story, published on Wednesday October 14, painted both him and the registry as the authority that decides the fate of the top post- something he said was not in any way true.

“The registry believes that such a report was based around queries with the National Alliance Party and the status of Sir Michael in the party. That is not from me,” Dr Gelu said.

“From me was only on his membership with the National Alliance party, and that when it comes to the eligibility of a Prime Minister it is Parliament that ultimately decides.”

“This office does not have a say on whom parliament wants to be the PM that is not our job, and even in the organic law (Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates) there is nothing in there that states anything like that.”

A disappointed Dr Gelu made reference to previous incidents referring to how sensitive issues should be properly thought through for correct interpretation.

“It has made me think about the power of the media where it can condemn and crucify someone despite the fact that it might not be true and that a person’s life will be ruined,” he said.

“The headline indicates that I am the one that decides that process. These things are really heating up, the issue on the vote of no confidence, there is the eligibility, and for us at the registry our job does not put us in that deciding aspect of MPs moving- in fact I told her (jounalist) about the Supreme Court Decision of 2010 that we are not here to determine who is or who is not eligible.”

“The Supreme Court decision is very clear and the court has decided so for us at the registry our hands are tied where we can no longer keep members of parliament to their political parties.”

He added that Sir Michael has made his intention known to move from the National Alliance, but the registry did not receive any documents from either Sir Michael or NA.

“We can’t keep him with the National Alliance. If we do so and the matter is brought up with the courts then the registry will be in big trouble for that- something that was not emphasised much in the story,” Gelu said.

“It is also putting the position of the office into question that we are not that independent. We are a constitutional office and we must always maintain our independence no matter what.”

“Whether it is for the PM or the other side it is not our business. Our business is to make sure everything is done according to our function under the organic law on political parties that guides us on our activities.”