People have right to vote: O'Neill

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has appeal to the Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato to find a way so all the people throughout the country can exercise their democratic right and cast their votes.

O’Neill made this appeal after casting his vote in his home village in Kauwo in Pangia, Southern Highlands District.

He said every Papua New Guinean must be given opportunity to participate meaningfully and actively in this elections.

"The Electoral Commission must do everything possible, for every citizen that wants to vote in this Election, to be able to do so by allowing 2012 and the new rolls to be used together to identify people voting.

“This is an important election and people make their choice once every five years, so they must be given the opportunity to exercise that right.

“The electoral roll is the responsibility of the Electoral Commission and is independent.

“This is the case in Papua New Guinea as is the same for relevant electoral authorities in Australia and around the world.”

He also commended the Electoral Commission for taking up the challenges in the Electoral Roll and using the preliminary rolls to give the opportunity for people to vote.

Author: 
Freddy Mou