2022 National General Elections

He said individuals found guilty will be charged under the recently amended Firearms Act 2022 urging the public to “seriously question their character and integrity”.

“Those candidates who feel the need to carry firearms and move around, I can say that they have no place in the election.

 “We will not take this matter lightly. If it means they spend time in jail waiting for bail during this election period”, he added.  

The 3000 pieces of Security Protective Equipment, which includes protective vests, helmets and body armor will be distributed to police personnel around the country as soon as the weekend.

Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp during the signing of the gifting ceremony today said the assistance comes as part of the Australia-PNG Policing partnership.

“We are keen to assist the Royal PNG Constabulary take on its role to assist the PNG Defense Force in ensuring a safe election,” he added.

All candidates and political parties are required to pay a one-off fee of K500 to the Lae City Authority to put up their posters, banners and billboards around Lae City boundaries.

LCA has so far received payments from some candidates, and is reminding others to do so at their earliest to avoid any inconvenience.

Fees are to be paid at the LCA cash office at the ground floor of Morobe Haus, which was formerly known as Vele Rumana.

Failure to do so will result in LCA removing the candidates’ posters, banners and billboards.

When discouraging negative campaigning tactics against other candidates, and especially the sitting Members of Parliament, Deputy ENB Provincial Administrator for District and LLG Services, Nicholas Larme, told candidates during last week’s voter awareness and candidate forums that they should promote themselves and fellow candidates.

He says the beauty of the LPV system is that, voters get three choices and instead of tarnishing other candidates’ characters, candidates should campaign together, to secure their primary or secondary choices.

Topping the class of 155 Reservists at Bomana in Court filing, Richard passed out with flying colours at Bomana Police Training College to volunteer and provide community policing, and assisting the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary during the 2022 National General Elections.

He was recruited under the new reservist recruitment drive by RPNGC, intake 1 of 2022.

Richard comes from a mixed parentage of Southern Highlands Province and Chimbu and is married with three children.

Commissioner Manning was in Mt Hagen to assess the highlands region security preparations for the 2022 National General Election. Mr Manning said the reinstatement of Mr Tondop is in the best interest of the Constabulary and the nation during this time that needs good leadership and stability. 

“We have a duty to serve the people and it needs a collective effort from all of us. Therefore, I want to officially announce that Mr Tondop is now reinstated as the Deputy Commander Highland Eastern-end.

Commissioner Manning made these remarks during his official visit to Mt Hagen Western Highlands last week to inspect and ascertain the establishment of the joint security forces operation forward base at the Kimininga Police Barracks.

Mr Manning, when receiving reports from Divisional Commander Highlands Eastern-end Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi, commended police officers for initiating and commencing pre-election awareness and operations despite resource issues. 

At the time, she founded and led the Papua Besena movement that agitated unsuccessfully for Papua to become a completely independent country on its own instead of being linked with New Guinea.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said in the country’s prior election of 2017, a total candidacy of 3,340 saw just five percent of women listed.

According to the PNG Electoral Commission, of the 179 female candidates that contested in 2017, 117 ran as independents while 62 were party endorsed.

This new election period has seen a surge of political parties (as at 30 May) endorsing more women candidates than in previous years.

This is the recommendation from the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) after the 2017 National elections.

It stated that the review should include a specific component on the transparency of the PNGEC's operations, which needs to be improved in order to enhance the credibility of the PNGEC and the electoral process.

The COG states that it is critical that the PNGEC be provided with timely and adequate funding, and that government should consider introducing arrangements for direct appropriation of funds to the PNGEC to ensure its independence.