Parties on course: Gelu

POLITICAL parties are, in general, preparing well for next year’s general election with the issuing of writs less than six months away, Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates Dr Alphonse Gelu says.
He said yesterday he had been following the parties’ progress and was confident that they were “prepared” for next year.
The writs will be issued on April 20.
“Many of them are now going out and doing awareness, launching of provincial branches, and selection of candidates,” Gelu told The National.
He rubbished a newspaper report on Monday that awareness activities carried out by the parties were “illegal”.
He was impressed by smaller parties such as Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas’ People’s Party which had already submitted their schedule for the period leading up to April 20.
Similarly, the Our Development Party had given the registry a plan of its activities. “Campaign plans are very important,” Gelu said.
“If parties can have campaign plans, it will avoid shortcuts taken by candidates and parties, especially in terms of giving money and buying support.
“They can only get support if they’ve got good plans and messages to tell the people, and use their policies well to get people to vote for them.
“Money politics is not good for elections in the country.”
Gelu said the People’s Progress Party had just completed an awareness in the Highlands.
Meanwhile, Gelu said parties were now preparing to hold their national conventions.
He said he was aware that the People’s National Congress, National Alliance, People’s Progress Party and Pangu Pati would be holding their conventions.
“Most of them will use the conventions to endorse their candidates,” Gelu said.