2017 National Elections

​Jiwaka quiet so far, reports PPC

Provincial Police Commander Joseph Tondop said this is because of the informative awareness that has been going in the province since December last year.

“We have not seen much activity with the people since nominations started,” said the PPC.

“People have gotten back to their normal everyday routine and are just waiting for polling to start.”

Tondop also raised concerns on the locations of the polling booths, where he suggested to the Electoral Commission to have them in central, populous areas that are at walking distance.

​Polye: Health centres will be rehabilitated within 100 days

In a media statement, Polye made the promise when he toured the Gloucester Health Centre in West New Britain Province on Friday.

As well as improving the infrastructure, he said their wages and living conditions would be looked into.

"Our Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party wants all the districts to have a hospital each. Also all the LLGs to have a sub-health centre each whilst all wards to have a clinic or an aid post each.

“We will ensure they have specialist doctors, HEOs and nurses to serve our people better," he said.

Manus police call for peaceful campaigns

Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said campaigns should be conducted without threats, intimidation or any form of violence.

He said police will come down hard on those who use violence during the campaign period.

PPC Yapu made the appeal after there were reports of a gunshot being heard during an election campaign in one of the villages on the mainland.

He said police are now investigating the incident, which took place at Kapou village, in the Penabu Nalisopat LLG.

A complete report will be made soon.

​Over 600 police personnel to man province

Chimbu Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Seine, revealed that 18 Correctional Service officers from Kerowagi will join the police operation in the province.

“This is with support from other neighbouring provinces,” he stated. 

PPC Seine said although there were minor incidents during the nomination and campaign period, generally, the province has been quiet.

The PPC said the peaceful nomination and campaign period in Chimbu has shown that people’s attitudes have changed for the better, and he predicts the same for polling and counting.

​Baki in WHP to launch police operations

Hours later, Commissioner Baki took to the highways heading down to Chimbu province to inspect and observe election operations there.

Baki was greeted by the Simbu Provincial Police Commander; Chief Inspector David Seine, at the Kundiawa Police Headquarters. There he was given a tour and briefing of election operations in the province.

Baki toured the headquarters, reviewing and asking about existing challenges faced by officers during the elections period.

​Unlisted candidates to run as independents

PNGEC media officer Alphonse Muapi said the law is very clear.

He also said a party can only endorse one candidate to run for an Open and Provincial seat in the 2017 National Election.

Muapi stated that PNGEC does not have control on posters printed by the candidates. However, the candidate poster to be printed by PNGEC will follow the legitimate party listing provided by individual party general secretaries.

​Polye challenges Bakani to facilitate debate

In a media conference on Monday in Port Moresby, Polye said the statement from Bakani stopping politicians to talk about the country’s economy during this election is very shocking.

He said the statement is very irresponsible from someone who is supposed to be guiding the people and the Government of PNG.

“It’s the people’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech to discuss such issues.

“He should encourage families and government to talk about the budget and how well our economy is going.”

​No coordination in ENB: Candidate

Unbudgeted spending and politically driven commitments drove the province off its development pathway, says Kokopo Open Independent candidate Edward Lamur.

He has maintained this argument on his campaign trail to educate voters.

Lamur and his team began correcting the issue by developing his home grown policies in line with the East New Britain Provincial Government’s strategic result areas, aligned to the ENB development pathways and Vision 2050.

Graduates’ network to host election march

This will be a first-of-its-kind event for the PNG Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship Graduates Network (PNG TSCFGN), Port Moresby Chapter.

Chairman of the Port Moresby Chapter, Conrad Kumul, said the main aim of the march is to emphasise the importance of this election, to educate and encourage the citizens not to just pray and stay away but take action by voting.

“It is also for the churches in the city to take a stand and to inform the general public to be patriotic and vote with a good, clear conscience.”

​NA will negotiate after elections: Pruaitch

“We will go to the election as we are, and after the election period there is a negotiation period,” the NA parliamentary leader said.

NA Party has been in Government in the last 15 years but broke ranks with the People’s National Congress (PNC) Party last week, after Pruaitch was removed from his Treasury Ministry portfolio by the prime minister.

For 10 consecutive years, NA was the major partner in the coalition government under former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.