A setback on addressing Politicians’ Grasshopping

The Political Parties Commission during the last government presented proposals to amend the Political Integrity Act 2014. 

One of the proposed amendments was recommended to specifically address the ‘grasshopping’ of politicians during elections and the formation of the government.

The Acting Registrar of the Political Parties Glinson Galo stated that the Political Parties Integrity Act established in 2014 has undergone two National General Elections thus being tested twice. 

“Loopholes were identified, and after a nationwide consultation, recommendations were made to amend the act. One of them was to address ‘grasshopping ‘.

“Amendment proposals were submitted to the government. The 11th Parliament made it their priority policy that the act should be amended… there’s a need for these amendments,” he said.

Mr. Galo pointed out that last year they pushed for the proposed amendments. 

“Consultations came up with recommendations where, at least, we discourage ‘grasshopping.’ Unfortunately, the proposal did not go through the cabinet to parliament last year. We are going to step back, and with full force, we will move this again for the next government to consider,” the Acting Registrar stressed.

‘Grasshopping’ is usually intense during lobbying for the formation of the government after the election. Large sums of money have also been known to be used to lure so-called “grasshoppers.”

Meanwhile, 13 Political parties are currently registered at the Political Parties Commission to contest the national general election come April.

Five Political Parties were suspended then deregistration last year because of noncompliance with some sections within the Political Parties Integrity Act while the acting registrar confirms the approval of three newly registered political parties this year.

ENDS///

By Alex Dadamu