Ensuring Fair Representation Ahead of the 2027 Elections.

Electoral boundaries define the geographic areas, known as electorates, that people vote in to elect their representatives. These boundaries group eligible voters into constituencies, allowing them to choose leaders who represent their local interests in Parliament. Electoral districts are generally based on the principles of equal suffrage and proportionality, meaning each electorate should have a similar number of voters so that every citizen’s vote carries equal weight. Accurate population data, usually drawn from national censuses or voter registration records, plays a crucial role in determining these boundaries. Clear and fair boundaries also help strengthen the link between communities and their elected representatives, making leaders more accountable to the people they serve.

Papua New Guinea currently has 118 electorates, made up of 96 open electorates and 22 provincial electorates. The first electoral boundary distribution took place in 1976, ahead of PNG’s first national election in 1977, shortly after independence. In 2021, the Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) conducted a review in preparation for the 2022 National General Election. Initially, the review proposed 12 new electorates to reflect population growth and improve representation. However, the Electoral Commission advised that it was not ready to conduct elections in all the proposed new seats. As a result, seven new electorates were approved: Delta Fly, Hiri-Koiari, Popondetta, Nakanai, Wau-Waria, Komo-Hulia, and Porgera-Paiela. This increased the total number of electorates to 118. The remaining five proposed electorates will require constitutional amendments before they can be established, as Parliament currently has a maximum seat limit.

Despite these changes, concerns remain about whether PNG’s electoral boundaries accurately reflect its growing population. Research by the PNG National Research Institute (NRI) has highlighted the need for another review before the 2027 National General Election. Senior Research Officer Wilson Kumne identified several key issues that may violate the Organic Law on National and Local-Level Government Elections. These include inaccuracies in the provisional number of electorates, flaws in determining the size of electorates, and overlapping electorate boundaries in some areas.

The NRI study recommends that the Electoral Boundaries Commission address these issues by ensuring the number, size, and mapping of electorates are accurate and aligned with current population data. Updating electoral boundaries would help ensure fair representation and maintain compliance with PNG’s electoral laws.

As Papua New Guinea prepares for its next national election, an important question remains: is it time for a comprehensive boundary review to ensure every citizen is equally represented in the country’s democracy?