People must vote freely

DEMOCRATIC process in the voting of candidates to becoming members of parliament is a thing of the past.
In the past, when the country was not largely exposed to the outside world with minimal usage and penetration of social media and related news feed outlets, democratic election processes were observed.
The rule of law was existent and people had the freedom to decide whom to vote.
The people voted freely and openly and the winners of the respective seats entered parliament with satisfaction.
In the past three general elections, we have seen electing and voting a member of parliament like a goldmine.
The past three general elections with the current one in progress could become demonic considering the recent events reported all around the country.
For the past 11 days of the total 49 days of the campaign period (May 12 to July 1), we have witnessed and read Okapa MP Saki Soloma attacked at Okapa Station, former MP Philemon Embel escaping an assassination attempt in Southern Highlands and the cancellation of flights into the Kagamuga International Airport due to oil spill on the runaway.
From my understanding, the 11 days’ ordeal is the tip of an iceberg considering the enormity of tribal allegiance throughout the Highlands resorting to arms use and violence.
We are witnessing the continuous road blocks by people who live along the national highways, sea pirating continues without reporting, houses and properties burnt by drug addicts and homebrew consumers.
What we have now is a complete break-down in law and order during the elections, counting and declaration of candidates in the past three elections and something has to be done about it.
The Government through the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape has tabled the Firearms Amendment Bill 2022, which was unanimously endorsed by all MPs.
This significant piece of legislature provides a roadmap for development of PNG.
The core breathtaking and of course an essential element of satisfaction from the law-abiding citizens is the call for a life imprisonment for those in possession of firearms.
The enforcement agencies are police and army and they must develop some solutions to minimise the use and also capture those in possession of those illegal and unlicensed firearms.
Some of us wanted a pretrial rescue mission whereby the uniformed men and women could go out in the communities during campaign trail warning people about the legal consequences of the possession of firearms.
It is very important that police and army must have effective ground intelligence to apprehend people suspected of in possession of firearms or based on sufficient evidence arrest those people.

Christopher Papiali