A routine policing exercise has revealed that many Papua New Guineans who are not originally from New Ireland are moving into the province.
New Ireland Police Commander, Superintendent Albert Beli stated that police observed that many ‘new faces’ are entering the island province, and they are concerned these movements will affect police work in the lead up to the elections.
Beli said tribal violence, evictions in Port Moresby and economic challenges are some push factors in the movement of people into New Ireland.
“New Ireland is no longer like it was five years ago in 2022. Things have changed. We have seen evictions in the nation’s capital and other parts of Papua New Guinea,” said Beli.
Police in the province are gearing up towards the Security Operations for the 2027 National Elections. New Ireland Province has three seats in the National Parliament. Two are electoral seats which are Namatanai and Kavieng Districts and one regional seat.
In a research paper published by Wilson Kumne, a Senior Research Officer with the Economic Policy Research Program at the PNG National Research Institute in 2024, the population growth of New Ireland was predicted to have a 19 per cent increase in total population.
However, that report does not capture the eligible voting population and that is the concern raised by the police commander in New Ireland.
“People who cannot make it in Port Moresby or elsewhere due to evictions are trying to return to their localities because of various issues, including tribal fights, economic challenges, and other personal reasons,” said Beli.
Beli says police require updated data from the Electoral Commission in the province on the total number of eligible voters in New Ireland to help with planning for the 2027 National General Elections.
“Yes, for the New Ireland Police Command, based on my observations in Kavieng and an assessment across the four corners of the region, comprising 58 small islands and mainland New Ireland, I think in terms of confidence and assurance to deliver this coming 2027 National General Election, we are ready,” said Beli.