Police plan on shifting PPCs during election

PROVINCIAL police commanders (PPCs) will be shifted around during election periods to protect the integrity of the election process, Police Minister Bryan Kramer says.
Kramer told a parade in Goroka on Saturday that this needed to be done to ensure transparency and accountability and to avoid the possibility of bias with regards to the execution of duties.
“The police force under the current commissioner has decided that PPCs will be shifted around the provinces for the national elections,” he said.
“We are now starting this in the Goroka by-election where Oro PPC Supt Michael Welly is now appointed to oversee the election.”
Kramer said there was no issue with Eastern Highlands PPC Supt David Seine Jr, but Supt Welly’s temporary posting to Goroka was to protect the integrity of the election and allow impartiality.
“There was no allegation against current PPC, as the PPC on the ground, they come to know many people in the province including candidates,” he said.
“It is to protect the integrity of the election and to allow impartiality.”
Kramer said Supt Welly’s posting for the Goroka by-election was a trial.