A Papua New Guinean economist says recent changes to the polling dates announced by the national election office can pose a security threat during the 2022 General Elections.
The PNG Electoral Commission revealed this week that the elections will take place from 18 June - instead of 25 June as initially announced.
2017 PNG elections Photo:
This means the polls will begin a week earlier - extending the voting period from two weeks to three weeks.
University of PNG economics academic, Maholopa Laveil, said the change is welcome due to the country's low Covid-19 vaccination rates.
But he said its downside is that security will be stretched
"There's been a lot of issues at polling booths during previous elections with ballots being stuffed, elections officials being held at gunpoint, and people voting on behalf of communities and groups of people.
He said the number of security personnel has also been reduced from 10,500 in 2017 to 10,000 for the June polls which is a concern.
2017 PNG elections, police and electoral officials call out names of voters to come and vote, Timini, Morobe Province. Photo: RNZI/ Johnny Blades
"First all payments to election officials and security that will be concerning. We don't know if the approved budget which is approved on the previous schedule will be able to cover this change.
So, security-wise that is a concern and we will see then how the Electoral Commission will employ more safeguards around a longer polling period," he said.
The PNG Government has passed a budget of almost 600 million Kina for the polls - 400 million Kina for administration and 194 million Kina for security.