O’Neill rejects regional force for PNG polls suggestion

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has rejected as “unwarranted and premature” a suggestion for an Australian-led regional force be involved in ensuring a free and safe election in Papua New Guinea.
O’Neill said it would undermine the work of the electoral commission and police.
Melbourne University professor  Scott Flower told a recent conference at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria, that he doubted security resources inside PNG could prevent violence, intimidation and ballot hijacking for the election in June.
“Australia should urgently consider organising a regional security force . . . for the duration of the election,” he suggested.
An Australian High Commission spokesperson said yesterday the idea did not reflect government policy.
O’Neill said the electoral commission had the constitutional responsibility to take charge, run and deliver a successful general election this year.
 “As a responsible government, we have supported and will continue to provide the support necessary for the electoral commission to deliver a successful election.
“Recently the commission asked for additional financial support and our government has committed K60 million.
“With the kind of resources made available to the commission, I’m confident the election will be generally peaceful.
“No doubt there will be security challenges as we have seen in the last two general elections.
“But I’m confident the police have outlined an operational plan that will deal with these issues.”
He said Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga had the  authority to call on the military should the need arise.
“I’m confident in the ability of our security forces to ensure our elections are held in a peaceful manner so every voter is allowed to exercise his or her democratic right without fear or harassment,’’ he said. “The government will provide the resources necessary to ensure our security forces do their jobs well.”