Political Institutions of Papua New Guinea

Study Notes

Political Institutions in Papua New Guinea

Constitution:
- Established in 1975, it serves as the supreme law.
- Guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms.
Parliament:
- Bicameral system consisting of:
  - House of Representatives: 111 members elected for five-year terms.
  - Senate: Abolished in 2002; previously included members representing provinces.
- Responsible for making laws, controlling public expenditure, and representing constituents.
Executive Branch:
- Led by the Prime Minister, who is the head of government.
- Composed of:
  - Cabinet: Ministers appointed from among the members of the House.
  - Governor-General: Represents the monarch and carries out ceremonial duties.
- The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the majority party in Parliament.
Judiciary:
- Independent judicial system.
- Consists of:
  - Supreme Court: Highest court of appeal.
  - National Court: Handles serious criminal cases and civil matters.
- Ensures laws are interpreted and upheld.
Provincial Governments:
- Papua New Guinea is divided into 22 provinces, each with its own government.
- Provincial governments have authority over local matters and administer services.
Electoral System:
- Uses the Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system.
- Voters rank candidates in order of preference.
- Aims to encourage broader representation and reduce winner-takes-all outcomes.
Political Parties:
- Multiparty system, with numerous parties often forming coalitions.
- Major parties include the People’s National Congress and the Pangu Pati.
Civil Society and Media:
- Various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community groups enhance democracy.
- Media plays a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability.
Challenges:
- Political instability and corruption are persistent issues.
- Need for reforms to strengthen institutions and public trust.

Constitution

Established in 1975 as the supreme law of Papua New Guinea.
Guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to all citizens.

Parliament

Operates under a bicameral system, previously including a Senate.
House of Representatives: Comprises 111 members elected for five-year terms.
Responsibilities include lawmaking, controlling public funds, and representing constituents.
Senate: Abolished in 2002; it once represented provincial interests.

Executive Branch

Headed by the Prime Minister, who typically leads the majority party in Parliament.
Cabinet: Consists of ministers chosen from House members, responsible for government administration.
Governor-General: Acts as the monarch’s representative, executing ceremonial duties.

Judiciary

Maintains an independent judicial system that interprets and upholds laws.
Supreme Court: The highest court, addressing appeals.
National Court: Deals with serious criminal cases and civil disputes.

Provincial Governments

Papua New Guinea is divided into 22 provinces, each with a distinct government.
Provincial authorities manage local affairs and service administration.

Electoral System

Implements Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) enabling voters to rank candidates by preference.
Designed to promote wider representation and prevent winner-takes-all outcomes.

Political Parties

Features a multiparty system, characterized by coalition formation among various parties.
Major political entities include the People’s National Congress and the Pangu Pati.

Civil Society and Media

Numerous NGOs and community organizations contribute to democratic engagement and governance.
Media plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in political processes.

Challenges

Political instability and corruption remain ongoing problems in governance.
Reforms are necessary to enhance institutional strength and rebuild public trust.

Description

Explore the key components of Papua New Guinea's political institutions, including the Constitution, Parliament, Executive Branch, and Judiciary. This quiz will help you understand the structure and functions of these institutions established since independence in 1975.