Papua New Guinea

National Parliament

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
04.07.2022 to 22.07.2022
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
31.07.2027
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
118
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
The Papua & Niugini Union Pati (PANGU), led by Prime Minister James Marape (see note), came first, taking at least 37 seats in the 118-member Parliament. The People's National Congress Party (PNC), led by former Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, came second with 15 seats, followed by the United Resource Party led by Mr. William Duma. Two women were elected to Parliament, up from none in 2017. On 7 August, Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae invited the PANGU to form a new government. The following day, Parliament re-elected Mr. Marape as Prime Minister. On 23 August, he announced a 32-member Cabinet.

The 2022 elections were the first to be held after the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the country’s economy and increased unemployment. They were initially scheduled to be held from 25 June to 8 July but the dates changed several times, eventually settling on 4 to 22 July. Voting continued until 5 August in some areas. The elections were marred by violence and alleged corruption. At least 30 people have been killed in election-related violence since May 2022. Observers from the Commonwealth reported a large number of names missing from the electoral roll and recommended that the Government undertake urgent reforms to strengthen voter registration. 

Note:
Following the 2017 elections, Parliament re-elected Mr. Peter O'Neill of the People's National Congress Party (PNC) as Prime Minister. In April 2019, Mr. Marape resigned as Finance Minister and as a PNC member. The following month, a group of MPs tabled a no confidence motion against Prime Minister O'Neill, who resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Marape. Mr. Marape subsequently became the PANGU leader.
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
33.9%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Not applicable
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
Papua & Niugini Union Pati (PANGU) 39
People's National Congress Party (PNC) 15
United Resource Party (URP) 11
Others 40
Independents 10
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
113
Number of women elected
2
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
1.69%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
As at 14 September 2022, 115 of 118 members had been sworn in to Parliament.
Women Directly Elected
2

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
113
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
2
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
08.08.2022
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Job Pomat (Male)
Political party
Papua & Niugini Union Pati (PANGU)
Date of election
08.08.2022