Hela leader wants international observers to run 2012 election

By SALLY TIWARI 
MEMBERS of the Hela Gimbu Association and landowners in the PNG LNG project sites, Hela, want the national government to bring in international assistance to ensure that the 2012 general election in the province is free and fair.
Chief of the association Damien Arabagali suggests that a Ramsi-type operation is the best way to deal with the worsening law and order situation.
Arabagali said there was already a huge arms build-up in the new province which is a threat to security.
He said bringing outside assistance was not meant to undermine our security forces but to assist them.
“From past experiences we have seen that our police, defense and polling officers have been bribed and they have not performed their duties honestly,” he said.
Arabagali said the Hela Transitional Authority with the support of the William Pando, the new interim administrator, were ready to assist the government in funding the operation if the concept was approved.
He said the government should arrange for overseas polling officers and security personnel to assist during the election period.
Association lawyer Alfred Kayabe said the districts under Hela held a record of seven by-elections after the national court found the election to be lacking in integrity and security.
Kayabe claimed some ministerial commitments given by the members of the parliament had also been misused to purchase illegal weapons.
He said the Treasury Department should follow up on the allocations to see where the money went to.
Elijah Koju, chairman of the Hides Rig Sites Association, said the landowners wanted honest leaders elected to lead the province.
The association members and the landowners presented their proposals to the national government and the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions.

.