Sam Koim Calls for Major Election Reforms & Biometric Voting in PNG

Описание: In this post-election statement following the Dei By-Election, Sam Koim shares his firsthand experience as a candidate and raises serious concerns about election management and governance in Papua New Guinea.

He describes the election process as dysfunctional, costly, and unfair, highlighting voter disenfranchisement, corruption, and the denial of constitutional rights. Sam Koim explains that PNG elections now cost hundreds of millions of kina and may exceed K1 billion when candidate spending and election petitions are included.

He points out that a high percentage of election results from recent national elections have been legally challenged, placing a heavy financial and social burden on candidates, communities, and the state.

Key issues discussed include:
Dysfunctional election management and governance
High financial and social costs of elections
Widespread election petitions and legal disputes
Voter disenfranchisement and loss of public trust
The need for urgent electoral reform

Sam Koim strongly advocates for digital and biometric voting systems, citing India as an example where technology enables same-day election results for large populations. He argues that biometric voting could reduce corruption, eliminate ghost names, lower costs, and restore confidence in PNG’s democratic process.

This statement is a call to government leaders and policymakers to urgently reform PNG’s election system and embrace technology to secure the country’s democratic future.