Monitor children: Yanis

CHILD prostitution, trafficking and other forms of child abuse is on the increase as the country prepares for the general election, says National Child and Family Services director and chief executive officer Simon Yanis.
Yanis said based on lessons learnt from past elections, the office of child and family services urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s whereabouts during the election period.
“In the past, there were an increase in reports of missing children, sexual offence/abuse cases involving minors and even some forced child marriages as a result during and shortly after the election period,” he said.
“During elections, we have so many activities going on and children are often misled or tricked into following their friends, relatives or even strangers to places that can be harmful for them, especially young teenage girls from 12 years of age to 18. So I am appealing to all parents to keep a close watch on their children.”
Yanis also said that the Office of Child and Family Services would be open and working normal hours throughout the election period.
“All our child protection officers (CPOs) will be on high alert, all provinces and district offices will also be open,” he said.
“If you hear, see or know of any child under the age of 18 who is being abused, mentally, physically or sexually during the election period do not hesitate to report them to the nearest child protection office. Remember protecting children is everyone’s business.
“Think of our children when you are at the polls, and vote wisely.”

Candidates advised to submit all documents

ACTING Political Parties Registrar Emmanuel Pok has urged candidates endorsed by political parties to ensure they submit all necessary documents to the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC).
Pok warned that failure to do this would result in candidates being listed as “independent”.
He said the forms intending candidates had to submit to IPPC were forms 23, 29 and 30.
Pok said candidates endorsed by a political party needed to ensure the “political party endorsement” section of Form 23 was completed, which included the signature of the public officer of the political party endorsing the candidate.
“Any intending candidate who is endorsed by a party must also submit Form 30 – political party information. Form 30 can be submitted before the nomination period or at the time the intending candidate submits Form 23 during the nomination period,” he said.
“A photo of the party leader may appear on the candidate poster alongside the affiliated candidate.
“So the party leader’s photo must also be provided by the party to Electoral Commission headquarters.”

Nominate at districts, candidates told

THE Morobe election office is urging intending candidates for open seats to nominate at nomination venues in their districts.
Assistant provincial election manager Fredah Joses said candidates who wished to contest open seats in the province had to present at their respective district administration headquarters to nominate.
“Our stance is, we are encouraging everyone to make their way to their respective electorates and nominate there,” she said. “Our job is to facilitate the process. We encourage those who intend to contest open seats to go back to respective nomination venues and nominate.”
The nomination venues are Lae district administration for Lae and regional; Bulolo town for Bulolo, Wau rural LLG office for Wau-Waria, Gagidu for Finschhafen, Selepet for Kabwum, Mutzing station for Markham, Kome for Menyamya, Boana for Nawaeb, Sialum for Tewae-Siassi and Huon district office for Huon Gulf open.
Open seats will be processed at district headquarters.

Police to watch over nomination sites in Port Moresby

By CRETILDA ALOKAKA

Logistics personnel prepared for elections … The Electoral Commission in a statement says that the provincial logistics assistants play a major role at the provincial level, especially during the general election period. The commission said provincial logistics assistants would assist and enable electoral officials provincial and government officials conduct the electoral process. The workshop for the provincial logistics assistants was held in Port Moresby last week to prepare for the elections and be aware of challenges they would face. – Picture supplied

POLICE officers will be stationed at four locations during the nomination period in Port Moresby, National Capital District Metropolitan Supt Gideon Ikumu says.
Ikumu told The National yesterday that police officers would be present at the following four nomination locations: Hohola Rugby League Field for Moresby North-West, Sir Hubert Murray Stadium for Moresby South, recreational field opposite Boroko Foodworld for Moresby North-East and Sir John Guise Stadium for the regional.
He said security would be maintained at all sites and added that there was no need for police escorts for candidates.
Ikumu urged candidates and their supporters to be civil and not boisterous or disruptive during the electoral process.
“Some people might use speakers or hailers and this can disturb the community, so after 10pm there should be no noise,” he said.
“Drunk and unruly behaviours of supporters must be controlled by their candidates.”
Ikumu said the assigning and recruitment of police officers for the general election was underway.
“In NCD, we were looking at 1,300 officers to be deployed to elections but with the recruitment underway, the total should be 1,500 officers,” he said.
Ikumu said the disciplined forces had their own budget.
“Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Correctional Services and police have their own budgets,” he said.
Ikumu said soldiers would be deployed to the Highlands, however, the use of PNGDF personnel elsewhere would be the responsibility of local organisers.
“If the police are to deploy soldiers then either us or the provincial election steering committee will have meet the cost,” he said.