People’s watch must begin

WITH the general election looming large on the horizon it has become incumbent on citizens who wish for a fair and free electoral process to be ever vigilant. Unlike the other major event on a national scale, the national census, the choosing of parliamentary representatives by popular vote is the single most important activity that has the country’s undivided attention for several weeks in June.
But the rules of the contest must be followed in order for every participant to have an equitable and amenable role in the drama that unfolds every five years. Unfortunately, contestants and their supporters, when entering the fray, are wont to use whatever means and methods available to them, to give them the upper hand in a competition that in many regards is basically for the reins of power both political and financial.
It is not uncommon to find intending candidates and seating members wielding their influence and position to gain a crucial advantage over their fellow contestants. This is unethical and quite plainly cheating. As has happened in previous election years, early campaigning and “vote buying” will become rife in many electorates.
People power must rise up against this form of corruption as, logically, a process mired in impropriety and illegality cannot hope to produce leaders of a high calibre or, at the very least, ones who will come out untainted by the stench.
The use of government facilities and resources for personal and professional benefit is admittedly a gray area and is seldom prosecuted by the authorities who for some reason are more concerned with the other equally important issue of security and ensuring the mechanics of the election run as smoothly as possible.
Lines become ever more blurred when in particular setting parliamentarians and other departmental executives use their positions and access to resources to invariably fund their campaigns in one form or another. They do this subtly and many of their actions are not actually illegal but morally their intentions can be just as questionable. These are actions are clearly wrong and go against the spirit of democracy.
The National invites and actively encourages all fair-minded and law-abiding citizens to question the motives of individuals in their electorates who purport to give assistance to various causes and whether these people are genuine in their desire. The people must also not be fooled by the use of state property for unspecified and unwarranted purposes.
We expect, as we do every election year, a flood of stories, claims, accusations, allegations and anecdotal evidence regarding the misuse and flagrant abuse government vehicles, offices, monies and services for the express purpose of electing someone into office. It is imperative that a discerning public cast a critical eye and ear on every action and attempt by politicians and the like to persuade and entice constituents with cheap gimmickry or with undisguised cash handouts.
Papua New Guinea’s Melanesian culture lends itself to this form of pandering and self-aggrandisement. However, the challenge is on our so-called leaders to act responsibly and compete on a level playing field and let the people decide whether their accomplishments are worthy of a term in office.
Leaders elected in a democratic manner, free of any foul play or questionable acts, can expect to have not only the admiration of their voters but the respect (begrudging at times) of the other electorate in general.
Of course their performance in office is the justification for being elected and they must make it so, otherwise they have no compelling case on which to base their re-election on.
Election-related violence (especially in the Highlands) will almost certainly crop up as the polling day nears and indeed will likely flare up in the post election period. These occurrences must be minimised for the sake of stability as the country enters its most challenging period in the five years after 2012.
The leader who exhorts and condones violence is a cancer to democracy and must be recognised as such. No excuse however convincing or emotive can validate behaviour that impoverishes our democratic principles. We have already suffered elections and parliaments that have made a mockery of the tenets of our constitution and weakened the arms of government.
In this time of easy communication the people have the power to observe and share information and make informed choices that will have a great impact on PNG.