OC launches pre-poll awareness

By HELEN TARAWA
THE Ombudsman Commission pre-election awareness launched yesterday will address the increasing number of leaders being investigated for misconduct in office.
Acting Chief Ombudsman Michael Dick said the commission was concerned that leaders under investigation for misconduct in office tended to spend more time, money and resources defending themselves in courts and tribunals, neglecting the people who elected them into office.
“The commission considers election awareness as very important project to assist voter awareness for persons whom they will elect into Parliament to maintain a high level of integrity as leaders in the discharging of their responsibilities,” he said.
“It is very important to the commission because we see the need to help voters identify persons who should represent them as true and reliable leaders.”
Dick said the election awareness was part of the commission’s proactive approach to promoting quality leadership for good governance.
“While our main focus is to assist voters, we also want to encourage other key participants in the whole election process,” he said.
“Firstly, the new and intending candidates, and the other group of people that we would like to offer advice are the current MPs.”
US Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray said confidence in the Government began with confidence in the voting apparatus.