2022 National General Elections

Mr Nili said police are continuously educating people on electoral related offences and consequences of the election. He said the 2022 national general election will be different so he plans to deploy more troops for the elections.

He said policemen are also giving out pamphlets containing election related laws to the schools and teachers to issue to the students.

The students stressed to the people that their vote is important and has the potential to develop or destroy Papua New Guinea.

The pre-election campaign awareness took place at Tainaladera Section in Vabukori Village in the Moresby South Electorate.

Laws of the country guarantee that every individual has the right to vote freely. Eligible voters should not vote out of obligation to family or close relations, but to vote because the candidates portray and deliver good policies without bribery and the like.

“The awareness is an important part of our preparations for the election and after the awareness in town areas we will go into the LLGs and wards to conduct similar awareness,” said Provincial Police Commander, David Yapu.

The PPC said electoral offences like bribery, double voting and undue influences were highlighted to the people.

He appealed to residents to behave themselves during the election, adding police will be on standby to deal with them.

The call was made on the third anniversary of Marape’s resignation from the O’Neill-led government.
 
The PM, on April 11, 2019, resigned in protest at the way the country was being run.
 
Reflecting on that momentous occasion, the Prime Minister urged the people “to exercise your right to vote wisely in the 2022 elections”.
 
“Don’t vote for money, don’t vote for relatives, and don’t vote for people or parties who have sold your birthright,” he said.
 

Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Inspector Daniel Yangen, who recently taken over the command, said he needs these important details before he can commence pre-election and election-proper security operations.

“We have on record 224 policemen and women in the Southern Highlands Province. However, I will have to conduct a manpower audit to confirm whether this number is actually present in the province. Parades will be conducted in the following week to cross check names to ensure the current manpower list of 224 are actually on the ground,” Mr Yangen said.

The ABCID in partnership with Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC) and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) invited media personnel to participate in the Election Awareness Training Workshop that started on Monday and ended today.

ABC’s Election Coverage Advisor for ABC International in the Pacific/PNG, Andrew Fisher and co-facilitator, senior journalist Scott Waide took journalists through the training.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Jacob Singura said K1million is allocated for security operations for Morobe. A big portion of this money will be used to cater for the allowances of the additional manpower from PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) and the PNG Correctional Services (PNGCS) as well as logistical support for police.

“Manpower and logistical support are our biggest challenge, especially for a province like Morobe with a big landmass and scattered population,” said Singura.

Simbu Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent David Warap said police personnel in the province are into the third week of pre-election operations. 

They have completed awareness in Kerowagi District and are organising with the respective District Development Authorities (DDA) to conduct awareness in the other districts.
He said while conducting awareness they urged people not to ask for nor receive bribes and avoid double voting during the polling periods. 

The people were informed of election-related offences and the penalties for these offences.

The PPC said from police records, alcohol was one of the main cause for problems. The ban on the sales of liquor will make some difference during the election. He said he will discuss this with the provincial liquor licensing committee and other stake holders on how best they will address this before the actual dates of the ban are issued.

Yesterday Parliament unanimously accepted the 2021 Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) Recommendations and Maps (EBC Report). In the report, seven new electorates were enacted with their respective elections to be held this year.

The electorates are; Delta Fly, Hiri-Koiari, Popondetta, Nakanai, Wau-Waria, Komo-Hulia and Porgera-Paiela.

Six new electorates were also enacted with their respective elections to be held in the 2027 National General Elections. They are; Baniara, Motu-Koitabu, Baining, Middle Sepik, Mendi Central and Anglimp.