|
Leaders, candidates told to give up guns
By SHEILA LASIBORI
LEADERS and intending candidates for the
June national election must lead the way in the surrender of illegal
weapons if they want their people to see them as “true leaders” who
deserved to be elected.
These weapons including licensed firearms and those held illegally must
be surrendered to security forces or be given in for safe keeping during
the election period, especially in the Highlands region.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki made this call last week at the end of a
week-long Police and Electoral Commission (EC) conference in Wewak, East
Sepik province.
“Leaders have to make sure these weapons are surrendered (to police),”
Mr Baki said, adding that these weapons can be used by individuals and
clans to disrupt the proceedings of the national election.
“Election security is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
He added that the presence of guns in the communities, especially in the
Highlands region was a concern for the upcoming election.
He said this in relation to guns being seen as a threat to an
anticipated peaceful and democratic election.
Mr Baki also expressed confidence that as a result of the discussions
between police and the EC officials last week, police preparations for
security was in order and that the operations order would be finalised
by the time the EC issues the writs on May 4.
Meanwhile, the engagement of Defence Force officers to assist police and
Correctional Service during the security operations in June is also in
order and the gazettal notice for their engagement has been put in place
since the Supreme Court ruled the State of Emergency in Southern
Highlands province null and void on March 1.
Mr Baki said the PNGDF troops currently in parts of the country,
especially in Mendi under the special security operations would continue
through the polling dates and the counting of the ballot papers.
There will be 10 platoons engaged in the security operations for the
election period, and these platoons will be based in the Highlands
region, particularly in Mendi and Enga provinces.
 
|
