James Marape

James Marape is a Papua New Guinea politician. He has been a National Alliance member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since July 2007, representing the electorate of Tari Open.

Marape first contested the Tari seat at the 2002 election on behalf of the People's Progress Party, when voting in Southern Highlands Province was cancelled due to widespread violence.[1][2] He again contested the supplementary election in 2003, but lost to incumbent MP Tom Tomiape in a contest marred by the bashing of a polling official by his supporters.[3][4] He challenged the result in the Court of Disputed Returns, but both his initial petition and a subsequent appeal were rejected.[5][6]

He contested the seat for a second time as a National Alliance candidate at the 2007 election and defeated Tomiape.[7][8] He was subsequently appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation by Prime Minister Michael Somare.[9]

He was re-elected in the 2012 election, representing the Tari-Pori District.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Bunpalau, Wesley. "PPP names 78 for poll". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, March 28, 2002.
  2. ↑ Rheeney, Alex. "SHP candidates urged to await new elections". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, August 12, 2002.
  3. ↑ "Tomiape wins Tari-Pori seat". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, May 5, 2003.
  4. ↑ "Death threat and bashing for election official". New Zealand Herald, May 5, 2003.
  5. ↑ "Tari-Pori petition thrown out". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, October 25, 2004.
  6. ↑ "Court dismisses bid to re-open petition". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, May 3, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Election losers, supporters urged to accept defeat". The National, August 8, 2007.
  8. ↑ "NA's Marape leading in Tari Open count". The National, July 19, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Papua New Guinea premier names vice-ministers". The National, August 30, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Marape is the Happiest Dad". postcourier.com.pg. PNG Post-Courier Online. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. Re-elected for a second term, Tari-Pori MP James Marape slipped into Port Moresby after being declared at 2pm in Tari.