Paita: People must have a voice in parliament

Prime Minister James Marape says by-elections for the remaining districts currently under court matter will be carried out once they're sorted.

Marape made this statement in response to Finschafen MP Reinbo Paita who was keen to know when the government will release the funds to have by-elections for the seats vacant in parliament.

There are at least six seats unoccupied in the parliament and Mr Paita was concerned that people in these respective districts have been denied the rights to have a voice in the parliament.

"There are couple of sits vacant in the parliament because we haven't conducted by-elections," Mr Paita said.

"We hold very unique positions to represent our people in the house [parliament].

"When the seats are free, those voices can't be heard on the floor."

The former Finance Minister asked Mr Marape as to when the government will allocate funds to have by-elections conducted.

Currently, Sohe and Maprik are two seats being contested whilst Madang, Dei and Kabwum remain under court matter and Porgera-Paiela seat was left vacant by the death of the sitting MP.

"The reason why they [Maprik and Porgera-Paiela] were delayed in calling for the election is because those seats were left by the death of former MPs," Mr Marape said.

"Out of customary obligations we had to allow the natural time for recovery from the loss to take place.

"Dei, Madang and Kabwum seat currently have some court cases running against them so in that context by-elections were not held."

Mr Marape said the three seats will have the by-elections conducted once the court clears the matter.

Meanwhile, counting for Sohe Open resumed this morning.