Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a constitutional monarchy with a Westminster-style government and a unicameral Parliament, with elections held every five years. The current government is led by Prime Minister James Marape, first elected in 2019. The last elections, held in 2022, were marked by allegations of irregularities and manipulation during voter registration, voting and ballot counting. Public outcry led to the creation of a parliamentary committee, which published findings and recommendations in 2023, including the inclusion of at least two civil society representatives in the Inter Departmental Election Committee. However, with less than two years until the 2027 national elections, no progress has been reported on implementation.

While the government remains responsive to public concern on national issues, legal reforms introduced over the past decade are often undermined by weak enforcement and chronically under-resourced state agencies, limiting the practical effect of legal protections and safeguards.

PNG’s governance landscape is highly diverse, with more than 50 political parties contesting the last elections. Limited public access to government records and reliable data makes it difficult to verify political narratives, contributing to distrust and cynicism among citizens.