Election security worries official

Main Stories, National
Source:

The National, Tuesday July 28th, 2015

 By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK

ELECTORAL Commissioner Sir Andrew Trawen is disappointed with security officers demanding that allowances be paid to them before they go on election duties.

He warns that security in future elections such as the 2017 general elections could be put in jeopardy if the practice continues.

“It has become a habit for our security forces. It would seriously affect and derail the democratic election process and procedures in PNG and put into question the outcomes of the election if no security was provided at polling places,” he said. 

Sir Andrew said in a statement he would raise the matter in the next meeting of the Inter-Department electoral committee of which the Chief Secretary is chairman and attended by senior officers of the security forces.

Sir Andrew raised the concern after police officers who were paid allowances to provide security during the West Sepik by-election did not accompany their assigned polling teams. 

Some accompanied the teams for only three to five days but had received the 10-day allowance.

“It must be made clear that polling security allowance is not travelling allowances and must not be calculated from the day that the day allowances were paid,” Sir Andrew said.

“Instead allowances must be calculated from the day security personnel are actually engaged with polling teams on patrol at polling places.”

Police officers had earlier refused to provide security for polling teams because of the non-payment of their allowances.