SHP elections full of singsing, gifts and activities

ELECTION in the Southern Highlands is totally different from other pro­vinces in PNG.
The support for candidates comes in different forms, from hosting public rallies, singsing  and hosting big feasts to dona­tions such as pigs and cash.
In the current election, people donated vehicles, cash, pigs and even food to their candidates.
People of Orarip in the Imbonggu district dressed in traditional attire and welcomed People’s National Congress candidates Francis Awesa and regional candidate William Powi before donating cash and pigs to indicate their support.Supporters also provide free security for the ballot papers by escorting them to the counting centres and keeping an eye on them in containers near the police station all night.
For some of these die-hard supporters, it is a life-and-death issue when someone tries to tamper with any of the the ballot boxes.Meanwhile, the down side of providing free security in Mendi is the disposal of human waste around town as there is no proper public toilet in town.