New PM on card

By HELEN TARAWA - The National

PARLIAMENT is expected to elect a new prime minister today following the resignation of Peter O’Neill yesterday, with the 111 MPs divided on who should replace him.
Parliament’s first order of business when it resumes at 10am today is the election of the new national leader, says Acting Clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa.
He told The National that O’Neill’s resignation had nullified the motion of no confidence filed by the Opposition yesterday morning.
“O’Neill has resigned and Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae has written to the Speaker (Job Pomat).”
“We received that letter at 9.45am,” he said.
“The Speaker announced in Parliament that we had received the letter and that a vacancy (existed) for the prime minister’s seat, and that an election would take place.
“The motion that was filed would be disregarded. It dies a natural death because they do not have a prime minister to change.
“It (resignation) has nullified the motion.”
Pomat will call for nominations soon after the prayer is said.
“The maximum number of nomination allowed is three,” he said.
“If there is only one nominee, voting will still take place and the prime minister will be declared by an absolute majority.
“If there are two nominees, the candidate that has the biggest number (56 or more) will be declared prime minister.
“If there are three nominees, the one with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated.
“Then the normal voting process takes place (again) between the two remaining candidates.
“The one with the majority wins.” “The elected prime minister then goes to Government House to be sworn in.”
Meanwhile, straight after Parliament, a group led by Tari-Pori MP James Marape did not return to the Laguna Hotel where the Opposition group was camping but set up a new camp at the Grand Papua.
They met the Government side including O’Neill camping at the Crowne Plaza next door.
The outcome of their meeting was not revealed.
But Marape said in a social media posting late yesterday his group was talking to both the Government camp and Laguna camp over who should replace O’Neill.
It is understood that his group wants his name put forward.
Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel is the acting prime minister.

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