8 Dec 2016

PNG police chief urges people to respect electoral process

7:34 am on 8 December 2016

Papua New Guinea's Police Commissioner has called for people to respect the role of police and the Electoral Commission in next years' general election.

Gari Baki says he won't tolerate anyone trying to intimidate or disturb the work of the Commission or police to deliver safe and secure national general elections.

Preparation for PNG's highly anticipated five-yearly poll have been among the priority items at the Police Commissioners Conference in West New Britain.

The police chief urged West New Britain people not to attempt to manipulate the election process or systems in the province.

Mr Baki said West New Britain was rated a high risk area for the polls and that police were very much aware of this and would monitor it very closely.

He also announced that the 2017 National Elections will not be co-ordinated from Police Headquarters in Port Moresby but instead be controlled by respective Divisional Commanders in their respective commands.

"We won't be sending troops from outside to assist in the election," Mr Baki explained.

"This will now depend on respective Divisional commanders to take carriage of all those members within their command. So Divisional Commanders and Provincial Police Commanders, you have a mammoth task to prepare yourself for the national election in your own command."