SHP looks for better election

By JAMES APA
GUMUNO
SOUTHERN Highlands and Hela provinces are looking to a successful national election, Southern Highlands’ provincial police commander Sibron Patoto says.
Chief Insp Patoto said last Friday support from the people in the provinces was overwhelming as they did not want to see a failed election like in 2002.
He said with the multi-billion kina liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, they wanted the election to be conducted smoothly and be trouble free.
Patoto said unlike past national elections, more security personnel would be deployed this year.
He said 3,000 security personnel would guard polling places, while 140 fully armed response units comprising of military and mobile squad members would move around and attend to problems.
He said local policemen would be based in their own stations and continue to carry out their normal duties