Public servants warned – The National

By MICHAEL PHILIP
PUBLIC servants in Northern have been urged not affiliate themselves with candidates contesting the general election.
Provincial administrator Trevor Magei issued the statement to public servants in Northern during the provincial election steering committee meeting last Monday.
“We want to manage our public servants so they do what is right during the election,” he said.
“We want them follow the correct election processes during the election period.
“We don’t want public servants to affiliate with candidates or with current Members of Parliament so that we don’t go to the court of disputed returns.”
Magei said public servant supporting candidates would be an issue in this year’s general election and appealed to all State employees act honestly and with integrity.
He said proper and ethical conduct would prevent accusations that public servants were biased.
He said from past experience public servants who had supported candidates were usually brought before the court of disputed returns.
“This is considered as unnecessary and in doing so public servants will breach their oath of affirmation, code of ethics and other laws governing the public service.”
Meanwhile, Magei urged public servants in the province to stay away from political rallies, campaigns, gatherings and in assisting candidates in their lead up of political campaign.
“We want to deliver a free, fair and safe election process,” he said.
“This will only be achieved if public servants adhere to what we’ve discussed and plan for to implement in this national election.”

Pre-election operations underway

Kokoda highway upgrade launched … People from Northern’s Sohe recently seen gathering for a ground breaking ceremony for the maintenance of the Kokoda Highway. The road was sealed up to the Embara Bridge. From the bridge onwards, the road was yet to be sealed and it takes hours for people to travel to Popondetta town. – Nationalpic by LULU MARK

POLICE in Northern have started their pre-election operations in preparations for the general election.
Provincial commander Senior Chief Inspector Ewai Segi said they had realigned their manpower with community leaders within the local level governments (LLGs) areas to ensure law and order were maintained until the issue of writs on Thursday.
Segi said Northern’s land mass was manageable and that security operations would cater for the entire province.
He said security personnel had limitations in and community leaders should not rely heavily rely security personnel to achieve the maximum outcome of the election process.
“We are a small province and in terms of law and order issues, it will be manageable during the election,” he said.
“For security issues, that is not my business alone.
“It everyone’s business, the Royal PNG Constabulary, Electoral Commission, candidates and officials.
“We have to work together to provide security for the people.
“We need to ensure that as much as possible, our people embraced the critical process by being part and parcel of the election process.”
Segi said despite past law and order issues in the province during elections, this year’s election would be different as they aimed to provide a safer, fairer and free election for the people of Northern.
Meanwhile, Segi said the election process was everyone’s business and that they had to maintain law and order.