Papua New Guinea's government has warned other countries, particularly Australia, not to interfere in its internal affairs after it delayed its elections.

PNG's parliament voted 63-11 to defer the mid-year elections for six months after hearing a report that preparations were inadequate.

The move comes despite repeated assurances from prime minister Peter O'Neill that polling would go ahead as planned.

Voting was due to begin at the end of June. It is the first time elections have been delayed in PNG's history.

Perhaps in anticipation of an international backlash, deputy prime minister Belden Namah warned other countries not to interfere.

He singled out Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr who floated, then later retracted the idea of imposing sanctions on Papua New Guinea if elections were delayed.

"Whatever Mr Bob Carr says about sanctions, I want to say this: do not threaten the independence of this country," Mr Namah said.

Mr Carr is yet to comment.

But in a statement, Prime Minister Julia Gillard made no mention of sanctions but maintained Australia believed the elections should be held on time.

Before the vote in parliament, the PNG minister assisting the prime minister on electoral matters, Waka Goi, delivered an update on electoral preparedness.

He said there was a fundamental shortfall of around $30 million, electoral rolls were not ready and police were also not ready to provide security.

During the debate most MP's supported the moves, while others said the delay should only be two months.

Mr Namah said the deferral was a special case and the government was not hungry for power.

Former attorney general Sir Arnold Amet says the deferral is unconstitutional and will be challenged in court.

I think the Deputy Prime Minister of PNG should be very careful with his language when telling us or anybody else not to interfere in their affairs.




WHY?


would you stand for another country to tell Australia what to do with its elections.??????