‘Public servants campaigning using public funds’

By FRANCIS POKA
FORMER Pangia rugby league president Michael Ambros is concerned that public servants in Southern Highlands have gone on the general election campaign trail while still in office.
He said many of these public servants were handing out money to people and were organising sporting activities.
Under election laws, public office holders wanting to contest the elections had to resign from their jobs. Also, campaigning was not allowed until prior to the issue of writs.
According to the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea, public servants intending to contest next year’s general election should have resigned on Oct 30.
“However, this is not the case throughout Southern Highlands. Many are still working and using public funds to promote their election interests,” Ambros said.
“I call on the electoral commission to address this serious matter,” he said.