Friday, January 14, 2011

PNG poised for vice-regal election

[ABC Radio Australia News, 13 January 2011] - Papua New Guinea's government has been accused of hijacking the nomination and election process for a new governor-general.

Parliament will elect a new head of state on Friday after the Supreme Court in December annulled Sir Paulias Matane's reappointment.

PNG's first female premier for Morobe province, Enni Moitz, says candidates were allowed 24 hours to secure 15 signatures to let them nominate.

She says she missed out on being a candidate as male politicians refused to support her.

''We have not mustered enough numbers to enter into the race.''

The government has also been accused of bias and breaching rules with the nomination of Higher Education Minister Michael Ogio as a candiate for the vice-regal post.

The race for the governor-generalship is now set between Mr Ogio and Opposition-backed candidate Sir Pato Kakaraya.

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