Security personnel to be deployed a month before issue of writs

POLICE Commissioner David Manning says the deployment of security officers into the provinces for the 2022 general election will start a month before the issue of writs.
Comm Manning said planning the joint security operations was in three phases.
Police are requesting Treasury to release funds to start the first phase: intelligence gathering, community policing, media and publication and pre-deployment training. Prime Minister James Marape said the Government remained confident in the constabulary to ensure a safe and fair election.
Police Minister William Onglo urged citizens to assist police by ensuring there was no violence.
“Police will be in the provinces to secure boxes and be there during the counting,” Onglo said.
“We have learnt in the past of what is expected. Now we need the country to assist us assist them.”
Police have 6,200 officers who will be helped by police reservists, the Correctional Services and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel.
The full strength of the security force is expected to be around 10,000.