Soldiers at polls fulfil mission

THE PNG Defence Force deployed to provide security in the national election has achieved its mission in making sure of a free, fair and safe general election.
During its mission weapons were confiscated, vehicles suspected of being used to disrupt the elections were locked up and attempts to disrupt elections were prevented.
This was revealed in Mt Hagen last week by head of the joint task force in the highlands region, Lt Col Ezekia Wenzel.
Wenzel said of the weapons confiscated in the highlands region were some military issue equipment.
Wenzel said some politicians even texted to his mobile phone asking him not deploy troops to some specific locations but this was not right as it would have meant failing his task.
Soldiers received a lot of criticism while carrying out their tasks, he said, but they persevered and it resulted in the elections that were just ending.
Wenzel said during the elections his men, the police force, Correctional Services and the media played a big part in driving a safe elections.
He said the highlands region had staged peaceful elections for the first time despite some hiccups.