James Marape

Who is 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. 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. He challenged the result in the Court of Disputed Returns, but both his initial petition and a subsequent appeal were rejected.

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

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