Aussie choppers to help in polls

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE Australian Defence Force (ADF) has committed two helicopters to assist Papua New Guinea in the national election in June.
The assistance was arranged between the ADF and Electoral Commission (PNGEC) to help the operation meet its air transport requirements during the election period.
A team from the ADF led by the assistant secretary for Pacific region Tyson Sara visited PNG last week and confirmed the arrangement with Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen.
Sara said in a statement that the two aircraft would be in PNG for two years to also assist the PNG Defence Force. They would be fully funded by the Australian government.    
They are expected to operate in May to support PNGDF’s air transport wing. They will be based in Mt Hagen during the election in the seven Highlands provinces.
Trawen said the Australian help was timely as PNGEC was preparing and finalising transportation, polling security, polling schedules and logistics for the election.
“PNGEC was late in securing helicopters to meet its air transport requirements as the police already secured choppers from Helifix for their election security operations,” he said.
The PNGEC was advised to arrange for fixed wing aircraft to complement the two choppers in transporting necessary materials such as ballot papers, ballot boxes and security personnel.
It asked for support from the New Zealand government to assist with sea transport for the coastal areas and islands, especially in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, which is a “no go zone” for the PNGDF under the Bouganville peace agreement.
In addition, four PNGDF navy patrol boats are available to assist the operations.
Trawen said New Zealand was yet to confirm the arrangement.
Meanwhile, Australian high commissioner Ian Kemish confirmed the support package from Australia of two choppers and 30 computers for electoral data processing.
“The Australian Federal Police has completed a new K5.6 million communications network for PNG police to respond to any outbreaks of trouble during the elections,” he said.