Papua New Guinea (PNG) confronts serious threats to its democratic integrity as it prepares for the upcoming 2027 General Election. A recent report from Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) underscores these concerns, revealing that PNG ranks among the world’s most corrupt nations. The country’s CPI score has dropped to 26 out of 100, a decline of four points from the previous year, positioning it in the bottom tier of 182 evaluated nations. The index rates nations on a scale from zero, representing pervasive corruption, to 100, denoting a corruption-free environment.
The CPI assesses various factors related to corruption, such as bribery, the misappropriation of public funds, nepotism, and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures, alongside protections for whistleblowers, journalists, and investigative bodies. Yuambari Haihuie, the partnerships and policy adviser for Transparency International PNG (TIPNG), emphasized that PNG’s score is significantly lower than both the global average of 42 and the Asia-Pacific average of 45, highlighting an urgent need for reform.
Haihuie described the statistics as alarming, indicating that the country is regressing in its efforts against corruption. He drew attention to the noticeable variations in CPI scores during election periods, suggesting that the trends could foreshadow potential disruptions in the electoral process for 2027.
To combat these challenges, Haihuie proposed several crucial reforms, including securing adequate funding for the Electoral Commission, promoting regular meetings among the Inter-department Elections Committee for enhanced coordination, acting on recommendations from the Special Parliamentary Committee Report regarding the 2022 General Election, and strengthening law enforcement to address election-related corruption.
Arianne Kassman, CEO of TIPNG, echoed the concerns raised by Haihuie, noting a troubling pattern of minor improvements in corruption perceptions followed by significant setbacks during election years. She stressed that the proactive initiatives rolled out in 2026 will be pivotal in securing a fair electoral process and reinforcing the foundational principles of democracy during the 2027 elections.
While the path ahead for PNG is fraught with obstacles regarding corruption, there is also a clear opportunity for positive change. If the recommended actions are decisively implemented, PNG could pave the way for a more transparent and democratic future, ultimately fostering greater confidence in its electoral processes.