32 political parties to be deregistered

A total of 32 out of 56 political parties will be deregistered on October 30 for non-compliance.

Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates Emmanuel Pok announced today that these parties have been given 21 days to respond.

Notices of intention to cancel the parties registration had been issued on September 30

East Sepik Governor Alan Bird's People's Reform Party, the New Generation Party, PNG First Party, and Bryan Kramer's Allegiance Party are among the notable ones.

Mr Pok explained that the 32 political parties have breached certain provisions of the Organic Law, including Section 88, which is the annual financial returns.

Only three parties have so far responded to the notice; those parties are People's Reform Party, Liberal Party and PNG Country Party

Mr Pok is concerned that most political parties have not taken the matter seriously.