Frequently Asked Questions:

1.What is the purpose of the Organic Law?
To protect National Parliamentary Elections form outside or hidden influences

1.2.Does the Organic Law comply with the Constitution?
Yes it does, this law is made for the purposes of complying with section 38 of the National Constitution which takes into account the National Goals and Principles

2.Who makes up the Commission? (Commission refers to Board Members)
a) Registrar of Political Parties
b) Electoral Commissioner
c) Clerk of the National Parliament
d) Chairman of the National Fiscal and Economic Commission
e) A representative of the National Council of Women(nominated by the National Council of Women)
f) A representative of the National Council of Churches(nominated by the National Council of Churches)

2.1. What are the Powers and Functions of the Commission?
a) Considering of applications for the registration of Political Parties
b) Policy concerning and for the control of the Central Fund
c) Responsible for the administration of terms and conditions of executives of Political Parties
d) Have such other functions as are given to by the Organic Law.

2.2.Are the Commissioners subject to the leadership code?
Yes they are

2.3.How often should the Commission meet?
Once in every period of three (3) months

2.4. Can they meet any other time?
Yes, if matters need to be attended to and if the chairperson directs

2.5. Can the Commisson Raise Money?
Yes, it can from both within and outside of PNG.

2.6.Can it also invest?
Yes, it can invest funds in bonds and securities within the country.

2.7.Why
For the purposes of the Commission.

2.8.Is the Commission subject to control form any person or authority?
No, the Commission is not subject to any direction or control form anyone or authority in exercising its powers and carrying out its functions under the Organic Law.

2.9. How is the Commission Supported?
The Commission is supported by an administrative unit kown as the Registry of Political Parties.

2.10.Who looks after the operations of the Registry?
The Registrar of Political Parties

2.11.Who then appoints staff of the Registry?
The Commission does in consultation with the Registrar.

POLITICAL PARTIES

3.What are Political Parties?
They are registered under the Organic Law as important people based Political institutions and they play their part in ensuring good governance.

3.2.Are there any restrictions on the memberships of Political Parties?
No, Political Parties shall not restrict membership on the basis of sex, race, religion or place of origin but a non-citizen can not be a member of a Political Party.

3.3.Can you become a member of more than one Political Party?
No.

3.4.How do you become a member of a Political Party?
You must pay your membership fees and other payments to the Political Party in accordance with the Party's Constitution within the time and in the manner required by that Constitution.

3.5.Can you still be a member of a Political Party if you have not paid your fees and met the constitutional requirement of a Political Party?
No

3.6.How about a member of Parliament?
Well, if a member of Parliament is a member of a Political Party and have not paid his fees within the time and manner required by the Constitution of a Party, can be expelled from that Party.

3.7.If a member is not expelled,can that member still be a member of that Political Party?
Yes

3.8.But, for how long?
a) For the end of the life of the Parliament during which the non-payment occurred;
b) The member resigns from that Party;
c) Ceases to be a member of Parliament according to the Organic Law.
That is which ever comes first.

3.9.Who are executives of Political Parties?
The Executives officers of Political Parties are:
a) National President
b) General Secretary
c) National Treasurer
d) Where a Political Party has two (2) or more members who are members of Parliament, a Parliamentary Leader.

3.10.How do they become Executive Officers?
They are elected in a Democratic manner in accordance with the Provisions specified in the Constitution of the Political Party and are replaced by a majority vote of the members of the Party at elections held at fixed periodic intervals.

3.11.How about the Parliamentary Leader?
They are also elected in a Democratic manner in accordance with the Provisions specified in the Political Party's Constitution and are removeable by a majority vote of the members of the Party at elections held at fixed periodic intervals and at least in the life of each Parliamentary.

3.12. What are the requirments for Political Parties to Register?
a) If it intents to nominate a candidate for election to Parliamnet
b) If it intents to endorse a candidate
c) If it intents to nominate a candidate for election to a local level Government
d) If a member of a Political Party is a member of Parliamnet.

3.6.If a Political Party is not registered, can it still nominate and or endorse candidates for election to Parliamentand local level Government?
No

3.7. What are qualifications for Registration?
A Political Party is eligible for registration where:
a) Objectives encourages One Nation and do not encourage secession
b) Does not discriminate on the basis of sex,race and religion
c) Must be incorporated under Associations Incorporation act
d)Membership not confined to a particular province, region or group

Should you have further queries contact us:

Integrity of Political Parties & Candidates Commission
PO Box 45
Waigani,NCD
Papua New Guinea
Ph: (675) 323 0165/6373/0748
Fx: (675) 323 5775
email: ippcc@online.net.pg