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(PAdvP)
18 Aden 3 1 0 1 2 3 10
Moliola
(NGP)
19 Ephraim 0 3 0 0 2 1 6
Moguna
(IND)
Sub
8 19 4 7 17 12
total
Sum
Total
35
(58.3%)
42
(70%)
17
(28.3%)
22
(36.6%)
44
(73.3%)
33
(55%)
Key: PDM = People’s Democratic Party, NA2 = National Alliance, PPP + People’s Progressive Party, PAP = People’s
Action Party, ADP = Agriculture Development Party, PBP = Papua Block Party, PKP = PNG Kantri Party, IND =
Independent, PAdvP = PNG Advance Party, and NGP = New Generation Party.
Table 2 crudely shows several interesting observations.
First, the main sources of resource and financial support for the candidates came from
their kinship allegiances, own business or personal savings and the political parties.
Second, and more so among the top performers, remove party support one would be left
with but candidate’s own resources and kinship alliances to ensure a sound victory.
Under the current electoral method, ‘cash logic’ promoted by wealthier and influential
candidates will continue to win elections perhaps at the expense of civic issues and
environmental concerns.
Third, among the lowest performers, the women candidate did way better than her male
counterparts. As indeed she spent a greater part of her resources among villagers as well
as personally traveling from village to village despite her frail physical state. Despite her
hard work and intentions, even LPV was not able to reward her partly because she is a
woman venturing into a domain predominantly and passionately protected by gendersensitive
men.
Fourth, even after the final count, it appears that the NA candidate in Mr. Leonard Louma
did way better and deserves perhaps a narrow victory. Because the eventual winner
walked off with a mere 275 votes ahead of Mr. Louma, there is reasonable doubt
surrounding the circumstances during counting. For instance, at the elimination of
candidates William Ebenosi (5), and Brian Pulayasi (4), the winner suspiciously picked
up the magical figure of 1,118 votes from both (Radio Milne Bay, Vote Counting
Updates, July 2008). None of the other candidates were able to register over a thousand
votes from the second preferences except the winner. This is weird given that he hardly
spent more than a week campaigning on populous Kiriwina.
Fifth, and largely underwritten by political parties, business houses and personal wealth,
‘Cash Logic’ will continue to usher in dynamic applications and abuse of state, church,
tradition, and kastom processes into the coming PNG elections. Therefore, LPV is of no
reprieve to the poorly endowed and yet a hardworking, visionary and strong leader.
Sixth, aside from one’s own personal wealth in terms of money, and donations from
political parties and business houses, all candidates have equal chances. Remove the
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