Aust to aid poll transportation

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE Australian army will help transport ballot papers and boxes between  polling places and counting venues during the general election, PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) Chief of Staff Col Raymond Numa says. “The Australian Defence Force is supporting the PNG Electoral Commission with helicopters and aircraft to move the ballot boxes and papers around the country,” he said.
“Where Australian assets are involved, you will find Australian personnel there to coordinate the funds.”
Numa said during a talkback radio show that the PNGDF would also be providing its own assets to transport election materials.
“We will be transporting election materials in our two helicopters and three ships. It will also be expensive as our two patrol boats and landing crafts will chew a lot of fuel,” he said.
“So we are thankful for the Australian Defence Force for leasing and providing fuel for the two helicopters to us.”
However, Numa said one of the challenges was to reach the areas where there were no roads and the only access was by aircraft.
“If discrepancy arises among voters in those areas, it will be a challenge to deploy security forces to those areas.”