Campaigns banned in Mendi

By YVONNE HAIP
CANDIDATES are banned from hosting political rallies in the Southern Highlands capital of Mendi from this week.
The provincial election steering committee announced this yesterday as part of its drive to curb election-related violence in the province.
Committee chairman and deputy administrator Dr Bravy Koensong said this was because Mendi had been declared the province’s election co-ordination and counting centre.
The ban will be effective until the return of writs. Those breaching the law would be penalised.
He said all rallies had to be hosted in district headquarters because the committee did not want any trouble caused by candidates and supporters as a result of the rallies.
He said the districts were capable of accommodating rallies as they were “viable, alive, clean and working”.
District administrators should allow the rallies to be staged there.
The oval in Tente, on the fringes of Mendi town, is to be used by the Mendi Munihu candidates to stage rallies.
“We cannot allow problems to happen in Mendi town as a result of political rallies because Mendi is the central location that will coordinate the elections,” he said.
Koensong said candidates would be responsible to compensate for any damage, fighting, casualties, and problems caused by supporters.
He also called on the police and defense force personnel not to get involved in rallies and remain neutral so that any problem caused would be the sole burden of the candidates.
“The election must go well.
“We cannot afford any hiccups.
“It is time Southern Highlands did something positive and make a change for the better,” he said.
Koensong also thanked the people for ensuring that the lead up to the polling was trouble-free, unlike in previous years.