Governor Rufina is Papua New Guinea’s first woman MP in GE22

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Governor Rufina is Papua New Guinea’s first woman MP in GE22

PORT MORESBY: People’s National Congress (PNC) party’s Rufina Peter has become the first woman candidate in General Election 2022 (GE22) to win a seat in the 11th Parliament.

And she pulled off a Herculean task of knocking out incumbent Central governor Rober Agarobe after polling 62,362 votes. Agarobe (Pangu Pati) was runner-up with 58,917 votes.

She is the second woman to become Central governor. Dame Josephine Abaijah was the first woman to represent Central in Papua New Guinea’s Parliament in 1972.

PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below the news break and a few GE22 news updates as published by The National:

Rufina is Central governor

August 8, 2022The NationalMain Stories

Rufina Peter

By AILEEN KWARAGU
People’s National Congress Party’s female candidate Rufina Peter is the first woman to be elected in the General Election 2022 (GE22).
She ousted sitting Central Governor Robert Agarobe on Friday night after she polled 62, 362 votes.
Agarobe (Pangu Pati) finished second with 58, 917 votes.
She is the second woman to become Central Governor.
Dame Josephine Abaijah was the first woman to represent Central in PNG’s House of Assembly in 1972.
Speaking at her declaration, Rufina said she had plans to transform the province using her experience and network as an agricultural economist.
“Being elected comes with great responsibilities because there is a lot to do for the province,” she said.
“I bring with me into the office of the Governor all my experience and networks in public and private sectors including my friends as international development partners.
“From here on, as the new governor, I stand ready to work with the provincial administration and all other elected leaders in Central.”
She first contested the seat in 2017 where she finished third, polling a total of 32, 221 votes.
She thanked all her supporters for choosing a woman despite the fact that Central was more of a patrilineal society.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape has congratulated the Central Governor for being the first female to be elected in GE22.
Marape said Rufina’s win showed that women could win based on merits and didn’t need reserved seats in Parliament.
He also sent his best wishes to female candidate Kessy Sawang who is still in the race for the Rai Coast seat in Madang, and said he was looking forward to working with women leaders in building the nation.
Pangu Pati also endorsed five women candidate, however, they were all unsuccessful.

Morobe returns Wenge

August 8, 2022The NationalMain Stories

FORMER Morobe governor Luther Akisawa Wenge has made a stunning return to Parliament, 10 years after last representing the people, when he was declared winner of the regional seat early Friday morning .
Wenge polled 130,363 votes ahead of runner-up and United Labour Party’s Kemas Tomala who accumulated 94,798 votes.
The 62-year-old, who was governor from 1997 to 2012 (three terms), acknowledged his team, the people and the provincial electoral office for conducting an election under trying circumstances.
Wenge was critical of the General Election 2022 (GE22) particularly the failure of the Electoral Commission to ensure all eligible voters were registered as well as providing adequate funding to run the election.
“The government failed to follow Section 225 of the Constitution in not providing (enough) resources to conduct election,” he said.
“Given that scenario Mr Soheke, you and your officers conducted the election smoothly.”
Wenge said despite issues with Markham and Kabwum, he had the people’s confidence.
“Morobeans have delivered, Morobeans have decided, they have decided by the ballot paper and I have not been elected by fluke,” the lawyer turned politician said.
“People had confidence in my leadership for me to return and I will be your leader.
“You voted for me or you didn’t vote for me I am your leader and I shall serve as a leader for Morobe for five years.
“What mistakes I had done I want to say sorry to Morobe.
“What I did right and what I did wrong and you voted me out, I say sorry to you.”

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