ENB police officials attend workshop

By ABIGAIL APINA
PROVINCIAL police commanders and senior officers in the New Guinea Islands are attending a workshop to discuss preparations for the election.
Chairman of East New Britain election steering committee Clement Irasua said the islands region was not a “hot spot” such as some
highland provinces.
But he warned that developments in the past five years could see surprising incidents during the election period in the region.
It was, therefore, important to have security strategies in place to counter any negative developments.
Irasua told police officers and Electoral Commission officers that it was important to convince the people to take voting seriously.
“The most important thing is how best we can get the population to take voting seriously and not only conducting security operations,’’ he said.
“Get the population to understand the voting process so they can do it correctly.
“If that is done properly then I am sure we will see a group of good leaders take the region forward with transparency.”
A participant said it was vital for them to consider traditions when educating voters on what to do.
“Let us consider traditions and come down to the people’s level in order to educate them,” he said.