Expect violence during election

IT is now a few days away from the issuing of writs and as used to be in every election, violence is likely to erupt in one of the country’s volatile region, the Highlands.
Hela, Enga and Southern Highlands are already considered red zones by the Electoral Commission where more security personnel would be deployed.
Disruption of classes in primary and secondary schools will eventually result in poor performance for the academic for grades 12, 10 and eight.
The Education Department must have prior strategic planning and rescue plan for schools in these areas.
People are already gearing up to support their candidates who have made known to their communities to run for the general election.
In the Highlands, a leader is more respected if he has money or an educated person.
More commonly, it seems that people who have money are more influential when it comes to politics in the Highlands.
The coming election will see millionaires challenging incumbent MPs.
If more wealthy and influential individual runs for either open or governorship, then violence is not far from people’s door step.
People will not let their leader down or their efforts will go to waste.
An intending candidate represents the entire community he/she hails from. The 2017 election marked the beginning of an era involving guns, money, violence and bribery.
In rare cases, spiritualism is secretly used to revolutionise the election culture just to secure a seat in the “haus tambaran”.
We expect something different for the coming election for the Highlands.
Armed clashes between security personnel and supporters of candidates is likely to happen.
Though people have money, the desire for power and the luxury it provides supersede the life of a mere businessman.
Hence, running for leadership in the coming election may likely create election violence.
A leader represents a vast territorial boundary with thousands and people may even die for a leader.
Hence, Highlands is no exception to violence and 2022 will be unpredictable.

Justin Max Undi
Kerendah