More than 4000 candidates have applied to contest 111 parliamentary seats in this year's elections in Papua New Guinea.
The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Photo: AFP / Peter Parks
The electoral commission has projected that number to increase to around 6000 candidates.
Meanwhile, the Post Courier reports that the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said the election would be delivered on time, despite apprehension from some.
He said the electoral commission had been given $US110 million to conduct the elections - despite asking for $US157 million - after making cutbacks.
Mr O'Neill also defended the government's move to increase the nomination fee, brushing aside arguments about constitutional rights by saying there are sacrifices that have to be made.