State employees seeking to run in the upcoming 2027 National General Elections have only eight days left to formally step down; the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) warned yesterday.

In a national media directive, DPM Secretary Taies Sansan reminded all public servants that their formal resignations must take effect no later than Thursday, 29 October 2026.

The strict cut-off date is mandated under Section 55 of the Public Services (Management) Act (PSMA), which dictates that public sector workers intending to stand for public office must completely separate from the civil service at least six months prior to the issuance of election writs. The official writs for the 2027 National General Election are scheduled to be handed down on April 29, 2027.

"Public servants intending to contest the 2027 National General Election must ensure that they comply with the law and complete the required resignation process by 29 October 2026," Secretary Sansan stated. "This is a legal requirement, and officers intending to nominate should take the necessary action before the deadline."

To streamline compliance and clarify technical guidelines, the DPM has circulated Circular Instructions No. 15, No. 18, and No. 24 of 2026 across all government departments, statutory authorities, and provincial administrations.

In a move to prevent public resources from being utilized for early political campaigns, the DPM has established a dedicated Election Technical Working Group. This task force will directly collaborate with the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission to thoroughly vet official candidate nomination lists against the state payroll database.

Any public official found to have accepted nominations without a legally binding, pre-dated resignation on file will face immediate administrative actions and potential prosecution under public service regulations.

"DPM respects the right of public servants to seek elected office," Ms. Sansan noted. "At the same time, we have a responsibility to safeguard the integrity, neutrality, and professionalism of the Public Service, and to ensure that the transition from public service to political participation is undertaken lawfully and transparently."

According to the directive, departing personnel must clearly state in their formal letters that the resignation is being submitted specifically for the purpose of contesting the 2027 national elections.

A physical copy of the notice must be registered with individual agency heads, while an institutional copy must be furnished directly to the Department of Personnel Management for official record-keeping and payroll removal.

Prospective candidates are advised that digital submissions can be securely transmitted directly to the central registry at secretarysoffice@dpm.gov.pg.