Document Type
Book Chapter
RIS ID
35862
Citation
Wolfers, Edward P., 2010, Political parties and electoral politics, in I. Maddocks & E. P. Wolfers (eds), Living History and Evolving Democracy, University of Papua New Guinea Press(Papua New Guinea), 156-161.
http://ro.uow.edu.au/era/1213
Abstract
National elections in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have tended to be essentially contests between local personalities, and focused primarily on local issues. Members of Parliament are widely expected to respond to local concerns, including pressures to provide or improve infrastructure and services in their electorates, and to respond to local requests, sometimes amounting to demands, for funds for causes as diverse as customary funeral, marriage or other exchanges, and contributions to churches, sporting and other local organisations; school, medical and other fees; and other personal, family and community needs.