MORESBY North-East intending candidate, Anton Polaiap says many residents in the electorate do not have a steady job and do not own a house. 

Campaigning in front of the Foodland chain of stores in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby, he reiterated this among his talking points. He said if he is given the opportunity by the people, he will push for the implementation of providing employment opportunities and also give workers a sustainable home scheme.

“These are two important policies I am standing on to contest the Moresby North East Open Seat,” said Polaiap. 

“I respect all the other intending candidates, you also have the right to choose by voting the candidate of your choice. People must know policies of each individual candidate”, said Polaiap. 

He said he will not build new industries to provide employment but push for business reserves for indigenous people. Polaiap stressed that this is by law and is in the country’s constitution. 

“None of you own a retail store your standing and selling things infront of, or do you? The constitution of this country speaks of this, you have the right to participate and own businesses under the reserved business list for Papua New Guinean’s, added Polaiap. 

The North East candidate said the law is impartially implemented and this is a golden opportunity for people. 

“When you vote for Box 73, you already know that my two priority policies of employment and sustain housing will be at work for you to benefit”, said Polaiap. 

He said many are not aware of this law and continue to think that big businesses are for foreigners while they concentrate on selling staff like cigarette and other items on the streets of Port Moresby. 

Polaiap said this must change and elevate the life of the people and give value to the country’s economy. 

Speaking on his second policy, he said employment opportunity is scarce despite a huge number of intellectuals passing out with flying colors from higher learning institutions. 

“Many of you are over qualified with degrees, certificates, double degrees even doctorate and masters. But you are not employed and roam the streets. 

I will push for a policy that will change the working landscape. I believe many of our own people can handle jobs currently held by foreigners”, said Polaiap. 

He said the PNG law remains fragile that is why employment is a real struggle in our towns and cities. 

Polaiap questioned why Papua New Guinea continues to be categorized as a corrupt and unsafe place to work and live yet foreign nationals find it interesting to stay. He said because there are job opportunities available yet locals are not considered. 

“2022 National General Election brings us the opportunity to change employment and housing benefits for us all. You will not make a mistake if you vote for Box 73, I will enter Parliament with these two agendas as key priority policies”, said Polaiap. 

Anton Polaiap is an architect by profession. He is among the 76 candidates contesting the Moresby North East Open Seat.

Six of the candidates are women. 

Polaiap also spoke highly of the women folk, stating that women have all the right to contest for public office. 

Polaiap said these six women are contesting to provide an alternate leadership and equal respect must be given to them.

Election materials including ballot boxes have arrived in Kavieng, New Ireland Province. 

Provincial Election Manager, Benjamin Kliawi said the materials will be kept under police protection until and before polling begins. 

He said from there, the materials will be distributed to polling stations in communities. 

The election materials include 52 ballot boxes, 3 electoral roll boxes and other accessories for the National General Election. 

Kliawai also mentioned that a training for Assistant Returning Officers (AROs’) will be conducted before polling commences on the 4th of July 2022. 

The New Ireland Election Manager also appealed to the Provincial Administration and District Administration to nominate ten public servants to be scrutineers for the 10 Regional Polling Stations. 

“The counting scrutineers for the Kavieng and Namatanai Open are already confirmed,” said Kliawai. 

The election materials were delivered by an Australian C130 aircraft. 

New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat said the materials were loaded onto waiting vehicles, then were taken to the Kavieng Police Station under the watchful eyes of security personnel. 

PPC Nebanat said police have been assigned to provide security shifts starting today. 

Nebanat said police from the Special Service Division based in Tomaringa, East New Britain are also in the province to assist local police in guarding the container housing the election materials.

PPC Nebanat said the seals of the election materials will be opened when polling begins. 

POLICE Commissioner, David Manning is sending a warning out to all candidates and supporters who are in possession of illegal firearms and are carrying it around during the 2022 National General Election. 

Manning said police will be carrying out road checks and daily patrols around the country. 

He said firearms have no place during election and those found in possession of any, will be charged under the amended Fire Arms Act of 2022. 

“I can only advise all the candidates that firearms have no place during the election. 

You have to seriously question the integrity and character of those candidates who are carrying around or are in possession of firearms. 

It increases the level of threat or raises some sort of risk during this special period ,” said Manning.

The Police Commissioner said there are laws in the country and all must abide by them as citizens. He said RPNGC will not bow down to any intending candidate or a sitting MP. 

“Police will not take it lightly and will enforce the law, if it either means sitting in jail awaiting bail during the election dates”, said Manning.

Manning made reference to a case of an intending candidate in Eastern Highlands whose supporters were stopped during a road block and found to be in possession of a high powered rifle. 

He said police have completed the particular file report and the candidate and his supporters will be charged accordingly. 

Meanwhile, the head of police force mentioned that police will be out in full strength to ensure the 2022 National General Elections is safe for all. Manning said despite special operations carried out by the force, all police personnel will be on duty to serve the public. 

“Around five thousand police men and women will be engaged in the election exercise. Correctional Service and members of the PNG Defense Force are also collaborating with Police”, said Manning.

“Our aim is to ensure campaigns are conducted within laws and the voting population is provided a safe environment when casting their votes. Our operations will continue until the formation of the next Government, said Manning.

Everyone has the right to choose which leader they believe will represent them in Parliament and deliver services to their communities, said Manning. 

TWELVE million ballot papers are now ready for distribution to the 22 provinces in PNG in preparation for polling on the 4th of July. Six million will be distribution for open seats while another six million will be distributed for the Provincial seats. The Election materials arrived from Australia on Saturday (June 18) afternoon. 

PNG Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai visited the Air Transport Wing in Port Moresby on Saturday 18th June 2022 to witness the final packaging of all Election items for distribution. He thanked the Australian Government for assisting in the delivery of the election materials. 

The first ballot papers left for Daru in Western province signifying the start of the ballot paper distribution. The operation is being supported by the Australian Defence Force in consultation with PNG’s joint security forces. 

The Electoral Commissioner appealed for cooperation from all sectors in the country reiterating that the Commission is doing its best under trying circumstances to bring the elections to the people. He said there are 5.7 million registered voters according to the enrolments conducted in the electorates.

In a statement issued recently, Mr Sinai said polling will be conducted in 6396 wards covering 346 local level government council areas across the country.

More than 47,000 temporary election workers (TEWs) will be engaged to work with the 5963 polling teams to conduct polling throughout the country. The Commissioner said the number of polling teams have been increased to ensure polling is conducted in all scheduled polling places and results delivered within the required time.

One day polling will be mainly conduced in the Highlands and in National Capital District while there will be one day polling in parts of West Sepik, Madang, Morobe, New Ireland, West New Britain, Bougainvlle, Western, Central and Milne Bay. 

For the first time the Electoral Commission will have gender split polling booths where separate voting lines will be created for men and women to ensure everyone gets the chance to cast their votes. Arrangements have also been made for People with disabilities to cast their votes.

Around 11,022 polling booths will be open on Monday 4th of July starting at 8am in 9625 different polling locations around the country.

Incumbent Kainantu MP, Johnson Tuke has condemned the recent violence in Kainantu.

Tuke said supporters of a rival candidate instigated the violence resulting in an exchange of stone throws and burning of two vehicles belonging to his campaign team. 

In a news conference in Port Moresby, Tuke urged his supporters in Kainantu not to take any further action but allow police investigation to take its course. 

“I condemn the action of my rival and his supporters, but I will not allow retaliation. I am a leader and I will allow the rule of law to take course, ” said Tuke. 

According to Tuke he has laid a complaint with the police. He said further violence will disrupt services in Kainantu and disturb the travelling public using the Highlands Highway. 

“I do not wish for the PNG Electoral Commission to declare a fail election for Kainantu. Opting to violence is not the solution, grievances must be challenged through the ballot box during polling. 

I was given the mandate by the Kainantu people for two terms, now I am defending the Open Seat. It’s only the people who will decide and not through violence,” Tuke said.

Mr Tuke urged all candidates contesting the Kainantu Open Seat to work together and also control their supporters when moving around during campaign. 

The violence in Kainantu Town last week saw schools and other businesses close their doors including the temporary closure of the Okuk Highway. 

Mr Tuke also apologized to those who got injured during the violence including vehicle owners. 

According to Mr Tuke nearly 50 of his supporters are nursing their injuries at his Goroka home while some are admitted at the Goroka General Hospital. 

Meanwhile additional police have been dispatched to Kainantu to restore order and normalcy.