From the Registry’s humble beginnings under the Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive (PMNEC) to its modern standing as a self-accounting institution, Mrs. Mallian, from the Karkar Island in Madang province has been part of the Registry every step of the way. Her journey is a personal milestone; yet it is the story of Papua New Guinea’s democratic process. Mrs. Mallian’s story with the Registry began in April 2007 as a young woman with so much enthusiasm. At the time, she was working with the Legislative Council division within the PM&NEC. When Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta’s administration established the IPPCC the founding Registrar, the late Paul Bengo, began recruiting capable public servants to build the new office from the ground up. Mrs. Mallian was brought in on a six-month secondment arrangement to assist with setting up administrative structures. But as October approached, she realized her heart was with the newly formed Registry. “I applied for this position because I saw that it was vacant, I applied and got that position, so I did a letter to my boss (late Mr Hudson Ramatlap the First Legislative Counsel) at Legislative Council asking if I could be transferred,” Janet recalls. Her boss did not take the news well. “He squeezed my letter and told me, “Get out of my office!” Fortunately, a fortnight later, her boss had a change of heart. “I told him, ‘You always encourage us to look for greener pastures, and I think I found one.” He laughed and said, “Yeah, okay, now I can let you go.” With that, Janet’s permanent tenure began, joining a tiny, tightly-knit team of pioneers, many of whom have since sadly passed away.
Witnessing an Institutional Development
Over nearly two decades, Mrs. Mallian has served under four distinct Registrars, each bringing a unique leadership style that shaped the Registry’s culture. Being the officer who works very close to the registrar’s over the years, she observes. The late Mr Paul Bengo was strict but deeply caring where he focused heavily on building the administrative foundation and recruiting the initial team from scratch. Sir Kina Bona was a lawyer by profession who brought legal thoroughness. He focused on uniting stakeholders and conducting provincial consultations on Organic Law. The late Dr. Alphonse Gelu, PhD brought with him the academic background and transitioned the Registry into a self-accounting body in 2014, breaking away from PM&NEC financial controls. He prioritized nationwide voter awareness, political party development workshops, and mentoring programs for women candidates.
The current Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Pok is a young vibrant leader who is focused on execution, gets work done. Recently, he quickly secured state funding and paid funding to political parties and back pay stipends for political party executives which was long overdue, and enforcing structural compliance. Among the effective actions of the Registrar, the funding also catered for 3 directors’ vehicles, an office bus and a support vehicle “I’ve seen a very big difference,” Janet notes comparing the eras. “Late Dr. Gelu groomed the staff beautifully. The others passed only Mr. Solomon Puana promoted to Manager Policy & Legal and current as Director Funding & Disclosure. Now we have Mr. Emmanuel Pok, who is an action man, he gets things done, though he needs the strong administrative and technical manpower of the office to back him up. Mr Pok has also put in a very big impact by lobbing for the Revised OLIPPAC with the key MPs. The Revised Law got passed in Parliament by 83-0.” Running the Registry is not without its trials. One of the greatest challenges Janet recalls from the early days was simply educating political parties about their obligations under the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates. A major behind-the scenes reality that the general public rarely sees is the difficult enforcement of accountability. Every year by March 31st, political parties must submit financial returns.
The IPPCC comprises of the Registrar, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Economic and Fiscal Commission (NEFC), the PNG Electoral Commissioner, the Clerk of Parliament, and church and women’s representatives, acts as the ultimate decision-making body. While, the Commission has historically been lenient, giving parties extra time to comply a historic milestone was reached recently when the Registry stood its ground against non-compliant, “one-man” parties. “We had 56 political parties after the 2022 General Elections. Just recently, they deregistered 12 political parties. The Commission members had to stand their ground to make the decision to deregister them.” Now we have 44 registered political parties. These deregistered parties must now wait for five years, an entire parliamentary term, before they can attempt to register again.” Mrs. Mallian highlighted.
Advise to young public servants
Her message to the younger generation in the public service,” There are so many criticisms on the media and social media about public service because we are paid by the state. So public servants must come to work on time, punctuality is very important and do your mandated role that you are paid to do and leave at 4.06pm. Be honest in your work and do it, not only when the boss is around.” “My tenure will be for less than 10 years, and it’s this young generation who will take the office forward. Their approach towards work needs to change. Mrs. Mallian advised.
Fond Memories
For Mrs. Mallian, the journey has been filled with unforgettable moments. One of her fondest memories dates back to her early days in 2009, when she traveled as part of a massive Pacific Islands delegation to Vanuatu alongside Mr. Bengo and Dr. Sepoe (the then-Chairlady of the Commission). “It was my first time traveling for work, sitting at a round table, listening to them debate and talking about political party systems – I learnt so much, and I will never forget it. She also fondly remembers the strict but motivating standard held by Dr. Gelu during nationwide awareness campaigns. “He would tell us, “I can tell if you’re really doing your awareness or if you’re just sitting under a tree sleeping or drinking. When you submit your report, I will know!’ It kept us on our toes and ensured we truly went out and interviewed the public.” From a skeleton staff of less than ten people working out of the Prime Minister’s department, the Registry has grown into a strong institution of 27 staff members operating from its own independent office. As the IPPCC Registry prepares to cut its 25th-anniversary cake this September, it does so on the shoulders of dedicated public servants like Mrs. Mallan. Her resilience, adaptability, and institutional memory remain the quiet engine driving the Registry of Political Parties now and into the next 25 years.