Goroka churches join poll efforts

BY PAUL SINGE
THE Electoral Commission partnered with churches in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, to run the 2012 national election in the province honestly.
 This follows election dedication services held at Goroka town last Monday by different denomination elders to dedicate the Eastern Highlands election steering committees, election materials, security personnel and polling officials to God.
“We have three parts to this programme once in process of running elections,” Eastern Highlands pastors’ fraternal chairman, Rev Gireva Gireva said.
Gireva said the first part was done when all the election materials, polling teams and security personnel were dedicated to God last Monday.
He said the second part of ceremony would be this week as materials, polling officials and security personnel were about to leave for their respective polling venues.
“The third ceremony will be held during the declaration of the winners of all the eight seats in Eastern Highlands,” he said.
Gireva said that would be held at the National Sports Institute field when senior pastors and church elders gave their final blessing to winning candidates.
He said the unity between churches and government had arisen through prayers.
“We believe God has answered our prayers so I asked churches to continue prayers for a peaceful and trouble-free election.”