The leader of Papua New Guinea's Pangu Pati has urged independent MPs-elect not to join a coalition based on financial inducements.
Papua New Guinea MP Sam Basil. Photo: Supplied
As counting progresses in the PNG election, Sam Basil is on track to retain his Bulolo seat and the Pangu Pati is shaping up well in the early stage of counting in various other electorates.
He has set up a camp in Goroka, trying to form a new coalition government opposed to the current ruling People's National Congress party of prime minister Peter O'Neill.
Mr Basil warned the PNC was ready to pay a million kina each to any newly-elected independent MPs to join its coalition.
"That [successful] independent candidate must understand why he was chosen by the people to represent them. And he or she must not sell the voters' rights to a political party that voters do not want to come back into power."