1977 Papua New Guinean general election

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General elections were held in Papua New Guinea between 18 June and 9 July 1977,^[1] the first since independence from Australia in 1975. The Pangu Party led by Prime Minister Michael Somare emerged as the largest in the National Parliament. Somare subsequently formed a coalition government with the People's Progress Party (PPP) and several independent MPs. Voter turnout was 60.3%.

Background[]

The usual four-year term of the House of Assembly was extended to five years shortly before independence, pushing back elections to the renamed National Parliament from 1976 to mid-1977. However, in June 1976 Prime Minister Michael Somare proposed holding early elections in November 1976. Although the proposal was approved by a vote of 45 to 40 in parliament, at least half of the 104 MPs were required to vote in favour for the motion to pass.^[2] Prior to the elections, the electoral system was changed from single transferable vote to first-past-the-post.^[3]

Campaign[]

Just under 900 candidates contested the elections, with between two and 21 candidates in each constituency. Ten candidates were women.^[4] Polling in the Abau Open constituency was postponed due to the death of a candidate.^[3]

Results[]

Three women – Nahau Rooney, Waliyato Clowes and Josephine Abaijah – were elected, a number not repeated until 2012.^[4] Nine ministers lost their seats, a number that increased to ten when was defeated in the delayed contest in Abau.^[5]

Following the elections, most of the independents joined parties at the first sitting of parliament, with Pangu gaining a further ten seats, the PPP four and Papua Besena and the United Party one, leaving eleven members sitting as independents.^[6]

Aftermath[]

Following the elections, Michael Somare was elected Prime Minister, defeating John Guise (who was supported by the United Party) by 69 votes to 36. Somare established a coalition government of the Pangu Party, the People's Progress Party and some independent members, forming an 18-member cabinet. Kingsford Dibela was elected Speaker and of the United Party became Leader of the Opposition.^[7]

Later in 1977, Somare appointed four additional ministers; (PPP) as Minister for Works and Supply, (Independent) as Minister for Housing, as Minister for Minerals and Energy and Nahau Rooney (Independent) as Minister for Corrective Institutions and Liquor Licensing.^[5] Rooney became the first woman to hold a cabinet portfolio in Papua New Guinea.

See also[]

• Members of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, 1977–1982

References[]

Related links[]

• Centre on Democratic Performance Election Results Archive