Political parties in Papua New Guinea with sitting MPs will not receive any funding from the Registry of Political Parties and Candidates despite being entitled to.
Don Pomb Polye on the PNG election trail Photo: Supplied/ Wanpis Ako
The Post Courier reported that Registrar Alphonse Gelu said he erred in an April news report when he said that funding of $US157,000 was made available for distribution among parties.
Dr Gelu said the registry's accounts department had informed him that no money had been given.
He said the money was a constitutional grant and was something the government should have given to fund political parties.
Dr Gelu said his office hasn't received any money which meant political parties would not get any funding in 2017.
He said the prime minister Peter O'Neill had personally assured the registry about the funding after the April report about underfunding.
Dr Gelu said he was counting on Mr O'Neill.
A total of $US346,000 is owed to 19 political parties that are entitled to receive $US3000 dollars for each of their MPs under the law.