Police warn against early campaigning

By YVONNE HAIP
POLICE in Jiwaka have warned people against early campaigning in the new province as part of their pre-election operations.
Police said intending candidates and sitting MPs who conducted early campaigns would be arrested and charged as it was an offence under electoral laws.
Acting provincial police commander Billy Kombel warned that anyone seen campaigning before the issue of writs would be arrested and charged.
He said police would not tolerate ‘campaign houses’, public rallies, building of grandstands, pig killings, cash payouts and other transactions with the intention of gaining political support.
He said no candidates were to “erect billboards or display posters in any part of the province under any circumstances”.
Kombel said it was best for the candidates and sitting MPs to wait until April when the writs would be issued.
He said early campaigning often caused problems among supporters and led to greater conflicts and police did not want that to happen as Jiwaka goes to the polls for the first time as a separate province from Western Highlands.
He said stability and peace were crucial for the province and such measures taken by police to ensure this would result in a better economy and society.
Kombel said while the problem of alcohol and drug abuse were the cause of social disorder in the province, police wanted to steer the province back onto a more positive path.
He said Jiwaka was set to see developmental changes as a new province and it was up to the people to make that come true.
Kombel, who took on the role as Jiwaka police chief in July, has since focused on reducing crime to make Jiwaka a quiet and trouble-free province.
He has so far targeted the illegal trade of marijuana and homebrew, which included conducting raids and arresting suspects.