Transcript
SAM BASIL: The government has passed its failure to fund the electoral commission. There is a very big shortfall and we understand that the budgeted amount was 500 million kina, they've cut it down to 300 million kina. And the government is trying to use the candidates to pay for the shortfall, which I believe is not good. It's not right because we are a democratic country and contesting for national elections shouldn't be a privilege for people who are rich, who can afford it. The candidate's fee must be affordable for every citizen, whether they have money or they don't have money, whether they are disabled or able persons, of different ethnic groupings, they must be eligible to run. Everybody's eligible to run for elections, and they must not be barricaded by any piece at all.
JOHNNY BLADES: To win a seat in an election, this makes it even more about money and financial resources...
SB: Yeah. Also, as a leader of a political party, it will bring our nomination costs very high. Now, if you put a hundred candidates for 10,000 kina, you just imagine how much we have to find to afford the nomination fees. I think it's not only punishing the poor people, it's also punishing the political parties that do not enjoy the luxury of being in government and being recognised by business houses who turn up and do their fundraisers, to donate money. Now some of us in the opposition, we do not have that luxury so it is a two way blow to political parties and candidates who cannot afford it.
JB: Will this seriously compromise the Pangu Pati's plans for how many seats it wants to contest next year?
SB: For Pangu Pati and many other parties, this is not good because we are disadvantaged. Many political parties are disadvantaged, money-wise, and I think they are making it become a privilege of a money-man club, political parties that are in government and are benefitting from corrupt money and are giving contracts to businesses that are turning around to come back and put money back into the political parties and fundraising. So it is seen as more strengthening of corrupt political parties and corrupt business, and it's not good.
JB: Was this something that was discussed in parliament or was this a unilateral decision by the NEC (national executive council)?
SB: It will be brought before parliament this week or next sitting. All I can say is that I will calling out to all the members of electorates to front up to their members of parliament and tell them to stop it. All the numbers in government are (Peter O'Neill's party) People's National Congress, so they will pass it because they are happy, they can afford it, and they will pass it, so many members of the community should front up to their members of parliament and tell them not to support it.