MP allocates K1m for elections

 KAGUA-Erave MP James Lagea will allocate K1 million to conduct fresh elections in the failed Erave local level government council wards.

He said during the swearing in of council presidents in Mendi, Southern Highlands, last Thursday he wanted to see the election run without any trouble.

Lagea said the district administration would support the Erave LLG election and security forces would be deployed to ensure it was run smoothly.

He said Erave was more peaceful than Kagua but things changed in the recent LLG elections. 

Lagea said he had heard stories about candidates and supporters using firearms, threatening voters and hijacking and destroying of ballot boxes.

He blamed the criminal activities on losing candidates.

“I will make sure the election is run without any trouble and I will be present on the ground,” Lagea said.

The Kagua Urban LLG president seat was declared failed by the Electoral Commission, he said.

Lagea congratulated council presidents during the swearing-in and said the new and old leaders must work as a team to deliver government services.

He said the Government had announced that all councillors would be on the payroll from 2014.

Lagea thanked Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Governor William Powi for making funds available for Kagua-Erave infrastructure development projects.

He said the lawlessness mentality must be eradicated and people must respect one another.