Early campaigning leads to corruption

I REFER to the pre-election syndrome called early campaigning.
As I work for the election management body in one of the provincial offices, my office phone line is often congested with callers complaining or naming certain individuals or groups already campaigning al­though the issue of writs is due on April 27.
My answer: “This is illegal. Make your complaints official and put it on record so that we will get the police to arrest them for this illegal election behaviour.”
To date, no one has filed an official complaint and I assume they are afraid of repercussions.
I want to pose some questions.
Who devises corruption?
How does it originate?
Who facilitates it?
Is it tangible?
Can corruption be eradicated?
What is the end result?
Often, we blame politicians as corrupt.
But the question is who endorsed them to become corrupt?
Did they ask to become corrupt?
I doubt it.
Can we as voters, see who is empowering corrupt leaders?
Can we see the end from the beginning?
In my personal opinion and based on previous election-related events, leaders, intending candidates and politicians who sponsor and facilitate any form of activities before the issue of writs can be deemed by the public or voters to have elements or traits of corruption.
The bottom line is we, as voters, must say “no” in the first instance if and whenever we are offered cash, pro­mised goods or given something in kind.
The moment we accept such offers, we encourage and give the impression that this is the way to secure votes and vicious cycle of corruption continues.
Bribery is evil and the Bible denounces its.
When people resort to bribery and early campaigning, they should not be voted in.
Sensible voters should opt for honest and sensible candidates.
A candidate in the 2007 election asked me if he could take the people he gave money to vote for him to court.
Curious, I asked why.
He said: “They lied and didn’t vote me, they voted somebody else.”
I told him to forget about it or he will end up in jail for bribery.
This is the time voters become corrupt, singing: “Election time, free money, chance for free rice (a PNG synonym for pre-election feasts), just ask anyone of them (candidates) and make use of the opportunity.”
So what do we have here – opportunities or opportunists?
I go for opportunists – both voters and candidates misleading, misinforming, compromising and, in the process, encouraging each other to be dishonest and corrupt.
What a shame, Papua New Guinea.
When can we learn to be sensible?
When can we learn to be honest and truthful in order for us to elect leaders without intimidation and inducement but on just and godly merits?
Likewise, intending candidates must get their priorities right by not allowing corruption to grow roots in but be truthful and honest.
We must shun the evils of bribery associated with early campaigning and allow our conscience to lead us in our preparations in the most honest and transparent way.
Candidates should cultivate genuine leadership attributes rather than be seen as power hungry men and women hell bent on getting there through deceit.
Finally, we should realise by now who the genuine leader is and who the non-genuine ones are.
Choose the best and abstain from receiving bribery or facilitating bribery during early campaigning periods.
Campaign only when the writs have been issued.

T. Hetinu
Kokopo