UNDP Jobs - 73836- Review of Limited Preferential Voting in Papua New

Review of Limited Preferential Voting in Papua New Guinea

Location :

Home Based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

18-Aug-2017

Application Deadline :

11-Aug-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

08/18/2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

15 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP electoral assistance is provided throughout the entire electoral cycle (pre-election; elections/polling and post-election) and designed to support the Electoral Management Bodies in their core mandate, conducting inclusive and credible electoral processes.

In Solomon Islands, the Government has undertaken a process of electoral and legal reform which involves the possible adoption of a new election system. The First Past the Post (FPTP) election system has been used for Parliamentary elections in the Solomon Islands since independence in 1978. While there continues to be a strong commitment to elections and democracy in the country, there have been also calls for an electoral reform and adoption of a new system.

To this end, an Electoral Reform Taskforce was established in early 2015 as an advisory body mandated to provide advice on issues concerning the electoral reform. The Task Force was requested to conduct an assessment of other voting systems that were in use around the World, particularly those being used in the Pacific region. Following formal Dialogues with Political Parties, Chiefs, Government Officials and Civil Society Representatives in 2015, and then with Members of Parliament and Political Party Executives in 2016, it was decided to undertake a series of Provincial Consultations in 2016 and 2017 to seek feedback on the preferred voting systems which included the Limited Preferential Voting (LPV). These consultations were completed in May 2017.

The outcome of the consultations indicates strong support for LPV. The Prime Minister and a number of Members of Parliament expressed views in support of LPV to be considered a potential option to replace FPTP.

In view of the above, the Electoral Reform Task Force wishes to gain an understanding of the lessons learned taking into consideration the opportunities and challenges experienced in Papua New Guinea in connection with the introduction of the LPV. This will entail a detailed analysis on the key issues referred in the below scope of work.

The resulting paper is expected to contribute and assist the Electoral Reform Task Force in its advisory role to provide key elements, advice and recommendations surrounding the adoption of a new election system. Therefore in addition to the matters listed in these ToRs, the report should also include any other relevant matters that might assist the Taskforce in its mandate to provide recommendations on issues surrounding the possible adoption of the Limited Preferential Voting in the Solomon Islands.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work/Expected Output

To provide a written report as described in these ToRs.

The consultant will be expected to provide an inception report including an initial outline defining the report structure and key research parameters to be utilized. Upon submission of the inception report, the consultant shall remain available for a skype conference for any questions and possible adjustments concerning this report.

The final written report is expected to have a length of no more than 20 pages.

Key issues to be covered in the report:

• How successful was the PNG Electoral Commission’s awareness and public education on LPV? What more needs to be done to ensure a better understanding of the new voting system, especially for communities in remote locations?

• Has the implementation of LPV in PNG resulted in a reduction or increase money politics? Reports indicate that vote buying increased – if so, how widespread was the practice and is PNG looking at ways to eliminate or minimise such practices?

• The number of invalid votes cast during electoral events appears to be increasing following the introduction of LPV – what may have caused this?

• With the relatively low rate of literacy how successful was the process of marking 3 preferences on a ballot paper? Is it possible to say whether this was a contributor to the increased number of invalid votes?

• What is your assessment of LPV in comparison with other voting systems from the perspective of women´s political participation. Has the system contributed to the election of more female candidates? Please provide any elements that may contribute to enhance women´s political participation in connection with LPV

• Previous elections have resulted in many concerns about the integrity of the Electoral Roll in PNG. What, if any, improvements were made in readiness for the 2017 General Election?

The consultant is expected to research and provide references to specialized reports and academic papers. This may include observer´s reports, academic papers from research institutions present in PNG or in the region such as the Australian National University, as well as from other relevant organizations such as IDEA, IFES, UN Women

Competencies

Proven research skills and drafting of research papers on political and electoral topics
Knowledge of PNG’s democratic development since 2003 and in particular the introduction/implementation of the Limited Preferential Voting system
Familiarity with PNG’s electoral processes and procedures and an understanding of the cultural context in PNG

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

The consultant will be required to have a minimum of Bachelors level degree in Political Science, Economics, or another relevant field.

Experience:

At least 10 years on political and electoral analysis, research and sampling methodologies.

Languages:

Excellent written and oral English