Police warn against early campaigning

By YVONNE HAIP
AS the new Jiwaka province prepares for its first national election, police have already reported problems brewing among potential candidates.
Acting provincial police commander Billy Kombel said problems were arising especially in the remote Jimi district.
Police have received reports that intending candidates were threatening each other, claiming territories and warning other candidates not to interfere with their “base votes”.
He said there were threats from party candidates and people were already into the “election fever”.
Kombel suspects that some were already into early campaigning and canvassing support among voters.
He said police were monitoring the situation and would make arrests soon.
Police have been warning politicians to refrain from early campaigning which was illegal but this has been largely ignored.
In Western Highlands, early campaigning has also been reported.
Some candidates for the governor’s seat had been distributing pamphlets and posters.
The electoral commission has been urged to look into the matter because it could escalate into election-related violence.
Some intending candidates were already handing out cash and pigs to supporters.