PNGBLOGS

  By CHRISTOPER PAPIALI Michael Somare has survived in the parliament for more than 40 years. He is best regarded as the father of the nation. He is the longest serving MP in the Commonwealth, a record no other politicians can match. Some may see that as divine blessing to have the life of this man well lived in the years to come. He seem to have not coached an upcoming leader that will fill his shoes. Even at the ESP regional seat, some learned and respected Sepiks tried to topple him and Allan Bird knowing too well that he would, but could not do it. Questions have been tossed and even passed around as to why Sepiks still vote for him come the national election time. No one and even I am not here to answer that question. Is it to do with:a) his strong faith in God; b) sepik tambaran culture c) out of respect & age, or ......what? Some of the commentators have said that Somare was planning to leave his colorful political life for good, however, his son Arthur, Agiru, Patrick Pruai

  By CHRISTOPER PAPIALI Michael Somare has survived in the parliament for more than 40 years. He is best regarded as the father of the nation. He is the longest serving MP in the Commonwealth, a record no other politicians can match. Some may see that as divine blessing to have the life of this man well lived in the years to come. He seem to have not coached an upcoming leader that will fill his shoes. Even at the ESP regional seat, some learned and respected Sepiks tried to topple him and Allan Bird knowing too well that he would, but could not do it. Questions have been tossed and even passed around as to why Sepiks still vote for him come the national election time. No one and even I am not here to answer that question. Is it to do with:a) his strong faith in God; b) sepik tambaran culture c) out of respect & age, or ......what? Some of the commentators have said that Somare was planning to leave his colorful political life for good, however, his son Arthur, Agiru, P

Let me begin with officially announcing the declaration of our first two female winning candidates in, Delilah Gore, in the Sohe Open Electorate of Northern Province and Loujaya Toni in the Lae Open Electorate of Morobe Province. So it’s congratulations to the people of Sohe and Lae for election of their two new Members which now clearly demonstrates the realization of gender equality during this election. Right around the country, I am pleased to announce that declaration of winners have been made for 50 per cent of the total number of seats contested. And that means we are on target in completing the 2012 General Elections, and also on time for the Returning of the Writs and consequently advising the Governor General on whom to invite to form the Government. Elimination rounds are now being undertaken for the majority of the seats and declarations are being made promptly on completion of counting. I reiterate coming Wednesday’s date for all writs to be returned in order for me to for

Let me begin with officially announcing the declaration of our first two female winning candidates in, Delilah Gore, in the Sohe Open Electorate of Northern Province and Loujaya Toni in the Lae Open Electorate of Morobe Province. So it’s congratulations to the people of Sohe and Lae for election of their two new Members which now clearly demonstrates the realization of gender equality during this election. Right around the country, I am pleased to announce that declaration of winners have been made for 50 per cent of the total number of seats contested. And that means we are on target in completing the 2012 General Elections, and also on time for the Returning of the Writs and consequently advising the Governor General on whom to invite to form the Government. Elimination rounds are now being undertaken for the majority of the seats and declarations are being made promptly on completion of counting. I reiterate coming Wednesday’s date for all writs to be returned in order for me to for

By SANJAY BHOSALE Papua New Guinea has featured regularly in the international media in the last couple of weeks, and unfortunately, the coverage has been mostly negative. The sole exception has been the recent positive reports on the national election in a few Australian and New Zealand media outlets such as the ABC and Radio New Zealand International.  This was particularly the case after the initial problems with the common rolls, delayed polling and early poll-related violence receded and the elections got into full swing. Last week’s Hevilift helicopter crash in which two Australians and a New Zealander died understandably received widespread coverage in Australia and New Zealand.  The story featured prominently for nearly a week as the search for the missing crew continued until the discovery of their bodies in the Gulf province. Media outlets ranging from the online edition of the prestigious Time magazine in the United States to newspapers in countries such as Pakistan, have be

By SANJAY BHOSALE Papua New Guinea has featured regularly in the international media in the last couple of weeks, and unfortunately, the coverage has been mostly negative. The sole exception has been the recent positive reports on the national election in a few Australian and New Zealand media outlets such as the ABC and Radio New Zealand International.  This was particularly the case after the initial problems with the common rolls, delayed polling and early poll-related violence receded and the elections got into full swing. Last week’s Hevilift helicopter crash in which two Australians and a New Zealander died understandably received widespread coverage in Australia and New Zealand.  The story featured prominently for nearly a week as the search for the missing crew continued until the discovery of their bodies in the Gulf province. Media outlets ranging from the online edition of the prestigious Time magazine in the United States to newspapers in countries such as Pakista

WARARU, SOMARE & AIMO OUT! THE National Alliance’s hopes of forming the next government took a heavy blow when two of its key political tacticians failed to get re-elected yesterday. The first was Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s son Arthur, who lost his Angoram open seat to businessman and Pangu Pati candidate Ludwig Schulze, who polled 11,800 votes. Somare finished second with 10,624 votes. Joining the three-term MP on the scrap-heap was East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu Waranaka, who lost the Yangoru-Saussia open seat to former National Development Bank boss Richard Maru. Wararu polled 10,241 votes after the 25th elimination while Maru, an independent, received 13,121 votes. After his declaration at 5pm yesterday, Maru thanked the election officials and security personnel for delivering the elections for Yangoru-Saussia. Maru also thanked the people for the confidence they had in electing him. He said he had no time to waste but to be in government from day one in order to delive