Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) has called on businesses, civil society organisations and citizens to work with the Electoral Commission to support preparations for the 2027 National General Elections, particularly the updating of the Common Roll.
TIPNG board chairman Peter Aitsi made the call during a business breakfast hosted by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) on November 5, 2026. The event provided an opportunity for Electoral Commissioner Nicole Haley to brief the business community on preparations for the elections and identify areas where the private sector could contribute.
Aitsi told PNG Business News that TIPNG and POMCCI jointly organised the forum to encourage private sector participation and mobilise resources to support the Electoral Commission's work ahead of the polls.
“From TI's point of view, we are mobilising our community coalition which represents the unions, the women's groups, the churches, the youth groups to lend our support to the work of the Electoral Commissioner and in particular to support the updating of the Common Roll so that she can meet those election timelines,” he said.
He said businesses could contribute by ensuring employees had opportunities to verify and update their voter registration details, particularly as preparations entered a critical stage.
Aitsi urged employers to inform their workers about the registration requirements and provide them with time to participate in the process. He also called on civil society organisations and community groups to engage directly with the Electoral Commissioner and support efforts to improve voter registration.
Beyond the elections, Aitsi said Papua New Guinea must also prepare for the potential effects of El Niño in 2027, particularly during the first half of the year, when electoral preparations are expected to dominate the national agenda.
He warned that prolonged dry conditions could affect food production and water availability, potentially creating shortages for communities across the country.
“Those are the things that we need to be very mindful of and prepare for,” he said.
Aitsi said the country needed to give adequate attention to climate-related risks alongside election preparations, particularly the potential disruption to agricultural production and access to essential resources.
On the economic outlook, he expressed optimism about the anticipated commencement of the TotalEnergies-led Papua LNG project, saying it could provide further impetus to economic growth.
“In terms of the economy we're hopeful that the project will commence and that should assist us to grow our economy,” he said.
The business breakfast brought together representatives from the private sector, business organisations and corporate institutions, including senior executives, chief executive officers and managers.
Discussions centred on the Electoral Commission's preparations for the 2027 elections and the role businesses could play in supporting voter registration and participation.
The engagement underscored the importance of cooperation between the Electoral Commission, the private sector and civil society in facilitating an inclusive electoral process and ensuring the Common Roll is updated within the required timeframe.
