# 2007 Papua New Guinean general election

General elections were held in Papua New Guinea from 30 June 2007 to 14 July 2007.
For the first time, the election did not use first past the post (which has in the past resulted in a very volatile political system, with the election of a candidate being largely a matter of chance due to the large number of candidates), but rather Limited Preferential Voting, in which voters number their three most preferred candidates. PNG Police reported three deaths caused by election-related violence during the election period, a large decrease in the 100 deaths which occurred during the 2002 elections. 11,000 police officers and soldiers were deployed throughout the country to police the elections and keep the peace.
Originally scheduled to end on 10 July, it was decided that the elections would be extended by five days due to delays in transporting ballot boxes caused by bad weather.

## Results

ABC Radio Australia reported that nearly four million votes were cast out of Papua New Guinea's population of about six million.
Early results on 15 July indicated that incumbent Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's National Alliance Party was picking up more seats than other parties of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea's 109 seats. Final results were largely completed by 6 August, the deadline for the return of writs. Counting in two seats was extended for a few days due to legal challenges halting the counting process. The previous deadline was 30 July, but this was extended due to delays caused by bad weather and disruption of counting by some candidates and scrutineers.
In addition to the seats won by the National Alliance Party directly, thirteen independents joined the party after the election. Together with its coalition partners (which include the People's Action Party, the United Resources Party, the Pangu Pati, the National Party, the Melanesian Liberal Party and the Melanesian Alliance Party) the National Alliance Party had the support of a substantial majority of the newly elected Members of Parliament.
A hundred women stood as candidates. Only one, Dame Carol Kidu, was elected, for the Port Moresby South constituency.
| Party | Party | Seats |
| | National Alliance Party | 27 |
| | People's Action Party | 7 |
| | Papua New Guinea Party | 7 |
| | Pangu Pati | 5 |
| | People's Democratic Movement | 5 |
| | United Resources Party | 5 |
| | New Generation Party | 4 |
| | People's National Congress | 4 |
| | People's Progress Party | 4 |
| | Rural Development Party | 4 |
| | National Party | 3 |
| | People's Labour Party | 3 |
| | PNG Country Party | 2 |
| | United Party | 2 |
| | Melanesian Liberal Party | 2 |
| | People's Party | 2 |
| | People's First Party | 1 |
| | Melanesian Alliance Party | 1 |
| | Independents | 21 |
| Total | Total | 109 |
| Source: IPU |||

### By province
#### Central Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Central Provincial | Alphonse Moroi (Independent) | Alphonse Moroi (RDP) |
| Abau Open | Puka Temu (NA) | Puka Temu (NA) |
| Goilala Open | Fabian Inne (PLP) | Mathew Poia (NA) |
| Kairuku-Hiri Open | Moi Avei (MA) | Paru Aihi (PNGP) |
| Rigo Open | Anderson Vele (Independent) | Ano Pala (NA) |

#### Eastern Highlands Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Eastern Highlands Provincial | Malcolm 'Kela' Smith (Independent) | Malcolm 'Kela' Smith (Independent) |
| Daulo Open | Ben Kiagi (UP) | Kondo Patrick (PLP) |
| Goroka Open | Bire Kimisopa (UP) | Thompson Harokaqveh (PANGU) |
| Henganofi Open | Tota Bun (CDP) | Ferao Orimyo (PNGP) |
| Kainantu Open | Yuntuvi Bao (PAP) | Sai Beseo (PP) |
| Lufa Open | Yawa Silupa (NA) | Yawa Silupa (NA) |
| Obura-Wonenara Open | John Koigiri (PNC) | John Boito (PDM) |
| Okapa Open | Tom Amukele (NA) | Bonny Oveyara (PPP) |
| Unggai-Bena Open | Benny Allan (URP) | Benny Allan (URP) |

#### East New Britain Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| East New Britain Provincial | Leo Dion (NA) | Leo Dion (NA) |
| Gazelle Open | Sinai Brown (NA) | Malakai Tabar (MLP) |
| Kokopo Open | Rabbie Namaliu (PANGU) | Patrick Tammur (Independent) |
| Pomio Open | Paul Tiensten (PPP) | Paul Tiensten (NA) |
| Rabaul Open | Allan Marat (PPP) | Allan Marat (MLP) |

#### East Sepik Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| East Sepik Provincial | Michael Somare (NA) | Michael Somare (NA) |
| Ambunti-Dreikikir Open | Tony Aimo (PAP) | Tony Aimo (PAP) |
| Angoram Open | Arthur Somare (NA) | Arthur Somare (NA) |
| Maprik Open | Gabriel Kapris (PAP) | Gabriel Kapris (PAP) |
| Wewak Open | Kimson Kare (PNC) | Jim Simatab (Independent) |
| Wosera-Gaui Open | Gallus Yumbui (PMC) (suspended from office) | Ronald Asik (PAP) |
| Yangoru-Saussia Open | Peter Waranaka (NA) | Peter Waranaka (NA) |

#### Enga Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Enga Provincial | Peter Ipatas (PP) | Peter Ipatas (PP) |
| Kandep Open | Don Polye (NA) | Don Polye (NA) |
| Kompiam-Ambum Open | Dickson Maki (PP) | John Pundari (NAP) |
| Lagaip-Porgera Open | Kappa Yarka (PP) | Philip Kikala (NA) |
| Wabag Open | Sam Abal (NA) | Sam Abal (NA) |
| Wapenamanda Open | Miki Kaeok (NA) | Miki Kaeok (NA) |

#### Gulf Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Gulf Provincial | Chris Haiveta (Independent) | Havila Kavo (PNC) |
| Kerema Open | Ekis Ropenu (PLP) | Pitom Bombom (Independent) |
| Kikori Open | Mark Maipakai (NA) | Mark Maipakai (NA) |

#### Madang Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Madang Provincial | Peter Barter (NA) (retired) | Arnold Amet (NA) |
| Bogia Open | John Hickey (NA) | John Hickey (NA) |
| Madang Open | Alois Kingsley (Independent) (contested Madang Provincial seat in 2007 election) | Buka Malai (Independent) |
| Middle Ramu Open | Ben Semri (PAP) | Ben Semri (PAP) |
| Rai Coast Open | James Yali (Independent) | James Yali (Independent) (election nullified on 13 August 2007 — see James Yali affair) 10–16 November 2007 by-election: Niuro Toko Sapia (elected as independent, then joined NA) |
| Sumkar Open | Mathew Gubag (Independent) | Ken Fairweather (Independent) |
| Usino-Bundi Open | Peter Yama (PLP) (contested Madang Provincial seat in 2007 election) | Samson Kuli (PP) |

#### Manus Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Manus Provincial | Jacob Jumogot (PDM) | Michael Sapau (RDP) |
| Manus Open | Charlie Benjamin (APP) (dismissed from office) | Job Pomat (PNC) |

#### Milne Bay Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Milne Bay Provincial | Tim Neville (Independent) | John Luke Crittin (Independent) |
| Alotau Open | Isaac Taitibe (Independent) | Charles Abel (Independent) |
| Esa'ala Open | Moses Maladina (RDP) | Moses Maladina (RDP) |
| Kiriwina-Goodenough Open | Brian Pulayasi (PNC) | Jack Cameron (PDM) |
| Samarai-Murua Open | Gordon Wesley (Independent) | Gordon Wesley (Independent) |

#### Morobe Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Morobe Provincial | Luther Wenge (PFP) | Luther Wenge (PFP) |
| Bulolo Open | John Muingnepe (PDM) | Sam Basil (PPP) |
| Finschhafen Open | Guao Zurenouc (Independent) | Theo Zurenouc (elected as Independent then joined PPP) |
| Huon Gulf Open | Sasa Zibe (NA) | Sasa Zibe (NA) |
| Kabwum Open | Bob Dadae (UP) | Bob Dadae (UP) |
| Lae Open | Bart Philemon (NA) | Bart Philemon (NGP) |
| Markham Open | Andrew Baing (PPP) (dismissed from office) | Koni Iguan (PLP) |
| Menyamya Open | Teta Geoka (NA) | Benjamin Philip (RDP) |
| Nawae Open | Wesley Zurenuc (NA) | Timothy Bonga (Independent) |
| Tewai-Siassi Open | Mao Zeming (PDM) | Vincent Michaels (Independent) |

#### National Capital District

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| National Capital District Provincial | Wari Vele (NA) | Powes Parkop (Independent) |
| Moresby North-East Open | Casper Wollom (NA) | Andrew Mald (Independent) |
| Moresby North-West Open | Mekere Morauta (PNGP) | Mekere Morauta (PNGP) |
| Moresby South Open | Carol Kidu (MA) | Carol Kidu (MA) |

#### New Ireland Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| New Ireland Provincial | Ian Ling-Stuckey (PANGU) | Julius Chan (PPP) |
| Kavieng Open | Martin Aini (PANGU) | Martin Aini (PANGU) |
| Namatanai Open | Byron Chan (PPP) | Byron Chan (PPP) |

#### North Solomons (Bougainville) Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Bougainville Provincial | Leo Hanette (NA) | Fidelis Semoso (Independent) |
| Central Bougainville Open | Samuel Akoitai (URP) | Jimmy Miringtoro (PDM) |
| North Bougainville Open | James Togel (NA) | Michael Ogio (PDM) |
| South Bougainville Open | Michael Laimo (NA) | Michael Laimo (NA) |

#### Oro (Northern) Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Northern Provincial | Bani Hoivo (PLP) | Suckling Tamanabae (UP) |
| Ijivitari Open | Cecilking Doruba (PANGU) | David Arore (Independent) |
| Sohe Open | Peter Oresi (PNC) (contested Northern Provincial seat in 2007 election) | Anthony Nene (PNC) |

#### Simbu (Chimbu) Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Simbu Provincial | Peter Launa (URP) | John Garia (PNGP) |
| Chuave Open | Jim Nomane (PCP) | Jim Nomane (PCP) |
| Gumine Open | Nick Kuman (PNC) | Lucas Dekena (NA) |
| Karimui-Nomane Open | Posi Menai (PAP) | Posi Menai (PAP) |
| Kerowagi Open | Alphonse Willie (NA) | Guma Wau (URP) |
| Kundiawa Open | Mathew Siune (PNGP) | Joe Mek Teine (PNGNP) |
| Sinasina-Yonggamugl Open | Jeffrey Nape (NA) | Jeffrey Nape (NA) |

#### Southern Highlands Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Southern Highlands Provincial | Nipa Yawari (PCP) | Anderson Agiru (URP) |
| Ialibu-Pangia Open | Peter O'Neill (PNC) | Peter O'Neill (PNC) |
| Imbonggu Open | Timothy Tala (NA) | Francis Awesa (PNGP) |
| Kagua-Erave Open | David Basua (NA) | James Lagea (elected as PNGCP then joined NA) |
| Komo-Margarima Open | Balus Libe (PLP) | Francis Potape (NGP) |
| Koroba-Lake Kopiago Open | John Kekeno (PAP) | John Kekeno (PAP) |
| Mendi Open | Michael Nali (PPP) (contested Southern Highlands Provincial seat in 2007 election) | Isaac Joseph (NGP) |
| Nipa-Kutubu Open | Robert Kopaol (Independent) | Philemon Embel (PANGU) |
| Tari Open | Tom Tomiape (RDP) | James Marape (NA) |

#### Sandaun (West Sepik) Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| West Sepik Provincial | Carlos Yuni (Independent) | Simon Solo (NA) |
| Aitape-Lumi Open | Patrick Pruaitch (NA) | Patrick Pruaitch (NA) |
| Nuku Open | Andrew Kumbakor (PANGU) | Andrew Kumbakor (PANGU) |
| Telefomin Open | Atimeng Buhupe (NA) | Peter Iwei (PDM) |
| Vanimo-Green River Open | Philip Inou (PAP) | Belden Namah (NA) |

#### Western Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Western Provincial | Bob Danaya (PNGLP) | Bob Danaya (PNGLP) |
| Middle Fly Open | Roy Biyama (URP) | Roy Biyama (URP) |
| North Fly Open | Martin Tabi (PNC) | Boka Kondra (elected as Independent then joined PNC) |
| South Fly Open | Conrad Haoda (PNC) | Sali Subam (NA) |

#### Western Highlands Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| Western Highlands Provincial | Paias Wingti (PDM) | Tom Olga (Independent) |
| Angalimp-South Wahgi Open | Jamie Maxtone-Graham (PCP) | Jamie Maxtone-Graham (PCP) |
| Baiyer-Mul Open | Kuri Kingal (PDM) | Sani Rambi (NA) |
| Dei Open | Melchior Pep (RDP) | Puri Ruing (PNGP) |
| Hagen Open | William Duma (URP) | William Duma (URP) |
| Jimi Open | Francis Kunai (PNP) | Waka Goi (PNGP) |
| North Wahgi Open | Michael Mas Kal (PNP) | Benjamin Mul (PNGP) |
| Tambul-Nebilyer Open | Mark Anis (PDM) | Benjamin Poponawa (elected as Independent then joined NA) |

#### West New Britain Province

| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
| West New Britain Provincial | Clement Nakmai (PHP) | Peter Humphreys (NA) |
| Kandrian-Gloucester Open | David Sui (PNC) | Tony Puana (NGP) |
| Talasea Open | John Vulupundi (Independent) | Francis Marus (PANGU) |

## Aftermath

On Monday 13 August 2007, the first sitting of Parliament after the election took place. Jeffrey Nape was re-elected as Speaker of the House, and Sir Michael Somare was once again elected to be the country's Prime Minister, winning 86 votes in the 109-seat Parliament.

### James Yali affair

In January 2006, James Yali, governor of Madang Province and Member of Parliament for Rai Coast Open electorate, was convicted of raping his sister-in-law and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. In May 2007 he allegedly suffered a stroke and was transferred from Beon jail to hospital and placed under guard. A group of supporters and relatives then reportedly retrieved him from hospital by force and escorted him to the office of the Electoral Commission, where he completed an application to stand as an independent candidate for his previously held seat of Rai Coast Open. Despite a recent constitutional amendment that disallows anyone convicted of an indictable offence from running for office, the Electoral Commission accepted his candidacy on the basis that his legal appeal was still underway. This decision later attracted considerable criticism. He remained in hospital until 7 July, conducting his campaign from his hospital bed.
In the 2007 general election, Yali won the Rai Coast Open seat from a field of 28 candidates. His level of support, despite being imprisoned, was widely attributed to fear of his reputation for sorcery.
On 10 August, the Supreme Court quashed Yali's appeal, nullifying his election. The Electoral Commission said that a by-election for Rai Coast Open would be held within three months. The court was widely criticised for having deliberated on the case for a year, given that a by-election would have been avoided had the court come to a decision before the election.
The by-election was held from 10–16 November 2007. His brother, John Tuna Yali, contested the election and stated that he was confident he would win. A total of 21 candidates contested the by-election. The election may have been delayed in some areas for a few days due to weather problems, but by 20 November 2007 voting had been completed in most areas. For the first time, the ballots were counted electronically; writs were returned on 7 December 2007. The by-election was won by Kiap Niuro Toko Sapia with 6,961 votes, while Henry Baiyema was runner-up with 4,503 votes. Sapia contested the election as an independent after having contested the general election as a PNG Country Party candidate; he announced he would join the National Alliance Party.