By-election polling set for Sept 22, says Manning

POLICE Commissioner David Manning says polling for the Goroka by-election is set for Sept 22.
Comm Manning said the decision was reached in a meeting with acting Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai and Police Minister Bryan Kramer.
“This is a more realistic and comfortable date as it allows us to completely recover from the country’s 45th independence anniversary celebrations,” he said.
He said the by-election was important for the country as a number of key election security new measures would be trialed, including the installation of cameras at the polling booths and body cameras during counting.
“These are added security and accountability measures, ensuring that we are transparent in these two critical stages of election process, and should give a greater degree of comfort and confidence to our people.”
Comm Manning and Kramer would be travelling to Goroka this week to witness polling.
Meanwhile, in the wake of threats of strike from energy workers, Comm Manning appealed to them to be more responsible in their approach.
He said while they may had genuine issues, they should not hold the people of PNG at ransom by their threats.
“I am sure a lot more can be achieved by all parties in a round-table discussion,” he said.