Democratic audit already underway

By MATTHEW VARI

 

Sunday, March 13, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE Registry of Political Parties and Candidates (RPPC) has begun its finding for a democratic audit of the country.

Initiated through the RPPC Registrar, Dr Alphonse Gelu, the audit will include various stakeholders who have initiated research topics to measure the country’s democracy levels.

“In terms of the democratic audit, the audit or assessment of democracy has already started. The stakeholders involved in the assessment are Caritas PNG, the PNG Electoral Commission, Political Science Strand UPNG, National Council of Women, National Research Institute, and the Registry of Political Parties,” Dr Gelu said.

“A briefing with all stakeholders took place in January this year and each team was given 2 questions each to research on and write on them.”

“By the end of March, the teams will meet and compare notes. The questions were all taken from pillar 2 (from the Vision 2050 plan) – representative and accountable government.”

He said that a survey around the country has also begun, with registry staff going out to their local areas to save costs- which is the second such undertaking in 35 years.

“I made the decision to send my staff to their local areas to conduct a survey on the people’s perception of political parties and the candidates.”

“The only survey of such was undertaken back in 1982 by the Political Science Department UPNG. This is the second time that a survey as such is taken in the country.”

“So far the Aroma Coast villages were covered and currently surveys are taking place in Sumkar and Bogia in Madang and Lufa in the Eastern Highlands.”

He added that from their initial reports from Aroma and Lufa, the people have shown keen interest to take part in the survey.

“Many are demanding the Registry to conduct awareness on political parties as many don’t know what roles the parties play in our politics.”

“However the people were told that this is a survey and not an awareness. One of the interesting findings so far is that many people do not know which party their MP is a member of,” the registrar pointed out.