Candidates join hands to safeguard polling venues

By ZACHERY PER
CANDIDATES contesting the Unggai-Bena open seat have joined hands to ensure polling venues are safe on the eve of voting in Eastern Highlands province.
The 29 candidates made a public statement at the Unggai-Bena district office in Goroka yesterday to make known their united stand to the people.
Speaking on their behalf, Kiatro Abisinito said they decided to come together and assist the Electoral Commission in conducting polling in a friendly atmosphere where the people could vote freely without any undue influence and harassment.
He said they met with their respective returning officers and assistant returning officers. There are 76 polling stations.
“Five of us will sign on the inside of the ballot boxes before they are taken out and when they are returned, we will confirm the signatures,” he said.
“This is to ensure there are no new ballot boxes brought in from suspicious sources.”
He said Unggai-Bena district was known for tribal fights but the candidates would like to erase that bad image and ensure a peaceful election.
“There is a very high level of co-operation between the 29 candidates, working together with our supporters to ensure the election flows smoothly and the people exercise their democratic rights to vote for a leader who will truly have their mandate,” Abisinito said.
Candidate Ian Mopafi said voters should be left alone to cast their votes. Even security officers should not touch the ballot papers.
Candidates who will have their signatures on the ballot boxes are Abisinioto, Mopafi, Damson Lafana, Biki Giko and Nick Gorosahu.