Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces significant challenges to its democratic integrity as it approaches the 2027 General Election, exacerbated by a recent report highlighting the nation’s status among the most corrupt countries worldwide. According to Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), PNG has received a score of 26 out of 100, representing a decrease of four points from the previous year. This places the country in the bottom tier of the 182 nations assessed, with scores reflecting a range from zero, indicating high corruption, to 100, which signifies a corruption-free environment.
The CPI evaluates countries based on various corruption markers, including bribery, the misappropriation of public funds, nepotism, and the efficacy of anti-corruption regulations, as well as protections for whistleblowers, journalists, and investigative bodies. Yuambari Haihuie, TIPNG’s partnerships and policy adviser, pointed out that PNG’s score falls 17 points below the global average of 42 and 19 points behind the Asia-Pacific average of 45, signaling a critical need for reform.
“The statistics are alarming as they demonstrate that we are regressing,” Haihuie remarked. He emphasized the correlation between corruption levels and democratic stability, highlighting how trends in CPI scores fluctuate notably as elections approach. The implications of these statistics could foreshadow what lies ahead for the electoral process in 2027.
Haihuie outlined several crucial measures for improvement, including ensuring adequate funding for the Electoral Commission, encouraging regular meetings of the Inter-department Elections Committee for better coordination, adopting recommendations from the Special Parliamentary Committee Report on the 2022 General Election, and enhancing law enforcement efforts to combat election-related corruption.
Arianne Kassman, CEO of TIPNG, reiterated the worrying trend reflected in PNG’s CPI scores, noting a cycle of slight improvements followed by significant declines during election years. She stated that the efforts initiated in 2026 will be critical in ensuring a fair electoral process and upholding the principles of democracy in 2027.
The pressing need for reform suggests that while PNG faces daunting challenges in the realm of corruption, there remains an opportunity for positive change if the necessary steps are rigorously implemented. Through dedicated efforts and governance reforms, there is hope for a more transparent and democratic future for the nation.