RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL

PAPUA NEW GUINEA’s registrar of political parties and candidates, Dr Alphonse Gelu, now says MPs will breach the law if they switch to a new party until after a new government is formed.

Dr Gelu’s comment follows a move by Amkat Mai, a regional candidate in West Sepik Province, to shift alliance from the Triumph Heritage Empowerment party to Belden Namah’s PNG Party.

Although leading the count to become the new West Sepik Governor, Amkat Mai has announced his decision to move while counting continues and before the seat is declared.

Dr Gelu says he will issue a ruling on Mr Mai’s intended switch this week because such moves undermine the system.

“We will still maintain him under the THE Party because he was officially endorsed by that party and that is part of the process according to the Organic Law on national elections,” he said.

“The law is still very much in operation here so that person cannot switch now.”

Dr Gelu says that Mr Mai is free to join the PNG Party after the formation of a government.