Candidate: Elections are expensive

Main Stories

THE processes of an election campaign, polling (scrutineering) and counting are expensive and complex, Dulciana Somare-Brash says.
Somare-Brash, who is the only female candidate contesting the Angoram Open in East Sepik, said: “I have raised funds myself (without the banner of a political party) for fuel, my camps, security, my logistics (riverine, maritime and land).
“I need funds for allowances for my 20-plus coordinators.
“I have reached out to my network for support for my campaign with merchandise, food supplies, hardware goods, medicines and freight costs.
Somare-Brash, who is the daughter of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, said she had worked hard earlier through consulting contracts which she used to save money.
“On the trail now I run several vehicles simultaneously and I need contingencies for hire cars and boats with petrol engines.
“I have spent a significant amount of my resources on fuel (petrol) alone for the extensive travel required to cover the river and maritime areas of our district.
“The road components then require an endless supply of diesel, manpower, and food supplies.
“The campaign has just started and many hundreds of supporters expect financial support in return for electoral support.
“This is the cancer killing service delivery and socioeconomic development in our constituencies.”
Somare-Brash said many candidates, including incumbent members of parliament, feared electoral defeat so they succumbed to the pressure to effectively inducing large groups of people.
She said that such illegal behaviour was rampant among the wealthier and powerful candidates.


Former female cop to contest
Patrina Dikin

THE founder of police Family and Sexual Violence Unit (FSVU), retired Inspector Patrina Dikin has been nominated to contest in the National Capital District regional seat.
“I am contesting because I understand the plight of women and I want to do something about the problem in the Government leadership,” she said after submitting her nomination papers yesterday.
“I have a dream for women and children.
“There are so many children left unattended.
“They are displaced and have no sense of identity.
“The problems of women and children have been ignored for far too long.
“It was never my intention to participate in politics but the people saw how I handled gender-based violence crime, so I decided to respond to their call.”
Patrina said it was the right time for her to venture into politics following the police corporate plan (2022-30) that targeted community partnership.”
Patrina is contesting on a Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party ticket.


Sole female candidate for Nipa

Imbonggu welcomes Undi … Komoli locals welcoming lone woman candidate for the Southern Highlands Regional seat, Ruth Undi. Undi, an Independent candidate, was acknowledged by the hosts as the only Imbonggu woman to be nominated for the seat. She visited Sir Wiwa Korowi, former SHP governor and former governor-general at Kaupena, Imbonggu, this week. Undi is a businesswoman and founder of the Mama Helpim Mama Foundation, an organisation that supports women empowerment through small-to-medium enterprise skills and leadership training. She is a great supporter of women’s empowerment and the growth of Papua New Guinean entrepreneurs. – Picture supplied

JESSICA Onge, a women’s advocate was among 14 candidates who nominated for the Nipa-Kutubu seat in Southern Highlands last Thursday.
Returning officer Felix Kindup told The National that as off Wednesday, a total of 16 candidates had been nominated at the Nipa district office.
He said Onge was the first woman to contest the seat.
He said more than 5,000 people gathered to witness the nomination of the candidates, some in traditional attire and others in political party colours.
Kindup said four of the candidates affiliated to political parties were incumbent MP Jeffery Komal (People’s National Congress), Luke Simon Akop (United Labour Party), Dr Billy Joseph (Social Democratic Party) and Kopol Kang (Liberal Party).
He said former provincial education adviser Che Mepio and former community development adviser Kang were among candidates who were contesting the seat.
Kindup also acknowledged supporters for their good behaviour.
Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (western end) John Kale warned candidates to refrain from mobilising their supporters and instigating trouble during the election period.
He urged the candidates to practice good leadership by getting their supporters to behave.


Female engineer eyes Morobe regional seat

By JACINTA COHLEE
A FEMALE electrical engineer, Fingkewe Zurenuoc, is contesting the Morobe regional seat based on three pillars of service delivery, financial independence and integral human development.
Going into the race as an independent candidate Fingkewe said: “I want to hold onto my issues and integrity, so I won’t be joining any party where they might force me to do things that will be against my principles and beliefs.”
She said service delivery is her biggest component.
“It’s obvious not much has been done on service delivery in Papua New Guinea. With my background as an engineer, I can deliver.
“Financial Independent, Morobe can do that. The province is able to raise its own funds because we access every piece of transport; land, air and sea. We are an industrial city, we have minerals and resources from the highlands to the coast of Morobe.
“Integral human development, Morobe needs my third pillar. Citizens and youths are not showing respect to societies and the communities. These small things matter and will be a major contributing factor to the development if it is looked at,” elaborated Fingkere.
She added there was a deep disintegration in society where Lae City need to be cleaned up before we will take back Morobe.
She said she would be fighting for what she thought was to be right under her three pillars as an Independent candidate, if she is given a chance.