Building Robust Electoral Systems from Village Data in PNG

The Foundation of Electoral Integrity in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is at a critical juncture in its democratic journey. Prime Minister James Marape's announcement of a biometric voting system for the 2027 General Elections is a significant step, but the true transformation lies in the foundational data that supports it. The integrity of PNG's elections and the legitimacy of its leaders are under serious scrutiny, and the solution lies in village-level data collection.

The Flaws in Current Systems

The 2022 General Election was described as the most violent in PNG's 47 years of independence, with over 102 election petitions lodged in the court of disputed returns. This unprecedented challenge to electoral legitimacy highlights the need for a robust and transparent electoral system. Most disputes are related to bribery, corruption, and common roll defects, indicating that the current top-down approach is failing to address fundamental data quality issues.

The Historical Solution: Village Books

The Australian colonial administration used a system of Village Books to maintain accurate Head Tax and Property Tax Rolls. These Village Books served as the foundation for the Ward Roll, which became the Common Roll for elections. This system worked because it started with accurate village-level information and built upwards. By contrast, the current approach of trimming the Civil Registration and Common Roll is ineffective and expensive.

The Role of DPLGA

The Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLGA) has the mandate and resources to implement a village-based data system. With a network of 6,000 ward recorders, 300 LLG officers, and 93 district officers, DPLGA can collect and collate data effectively. This approach would cost less than K50 million, including wages, allowances, and infrastructure, compared to the PNG Electoral Commission's (PNGEC) request for over K50 million just to update the Common Rolls.

Key Benefits of Village-Level Data Collection

• Accuracy and Integrity**: By starting with village-level data, the system ensures that the Common Roll is accurate and up-to-date.
• Efficiency and Cost Savings**: A bottom-up approach reduces redundancy and streamlines data management.
• Transparency and Accountability**: Village-level data can be easily verified and audited, enhancing public trust in the electoral process.

Implementing Biometric Voting

The success of biometric voting in countries like India, with over 800 million voters, demonstrates the importance of robust foundational data systems. PNG can achieve the prime minister's vision of biometric voting by integrating village-level data collection. This system would enable the PNGEC to create a biometric fingerprinting and photographic electoral roll that is secure and reliable.

The Bottom Line

Building robust electoral systems from the ground up is essential for PNG's democratic future. By investing in village-level data collection, the government can ensure the integrity of the 2027 elections and create a comprehensive civil registry that serves citizens effectively. The choice is clear: continue with expensive, top-down solutions that fail to address fundamental data quality issues, or return to the proven approach of building reliable national systems on accurate local foundations.