Vote wisely
PARLIAMENT sits this week for the last time before the general election.
It is assumed that today’s session will be a mere formality for both the government, middle and opposition benches with all members practically in unison on the election schedule. If there were voices of dissension or a push from whichever quarter to stall the election, or defer proceedings, then that time has come and gone.
Rumours of an impending motion to remove Prime Minister Peter O’Neill must be seen for what they are, simply the uttering of individuals who have lost touch with reality or are just intent on causing unnecessary anxiety.
With the issue of writs on Friday, we are just a little over five weeks away from the moment the first voter casts his or her all-important vote on June 23 in the 109 electorates of PNG.
Election fever has not quite reached a crescendo yet but, be rest assured, it will start building up in the coming days and weeks.
Campaigning is set to shift into high gear from next week.
One party leader has openly stated that his budget for the coming elections is K30 million.
He is aiming to win as much as 80% of the open seats. That maybe an ambitious claim but we feel that it is time elections were less about money and more about selecting the best person for the job.
The eligible voting population has a weighty task at hand; one that they cannot take lightly.
A record number of candidates have so far been nominated for the 2012 race. With the close of nominations next Friday, this number could swell to more than 4,000.
Despite the penchant for the electorate to swoon to whichever candidate can offer incentives in return for votes, people must vote with their conscience rather than with the singular thought of gaining something in return.
Our members are, after all, just representatives of the people.
They are only required, when in power, to make laws and direct government machinery to enforce those laws.
They are required to see to it that the key indicators for growth and development are being met and improved on.
Improved health services, better schools and roads and bridges and an environment conducive for business and employment growth is what every winning candidate should aim for in his or her five-year stint as MP.
If little development has seen your district in the past five years or more, then, you must ask yourselves who you voted in and why he has not delivered.
If excessive politicking, sheer incompetence, greed or indifference have bogged down the prospects of your electorate or province, then you, as the voter, owe it to yourself, your fellow citizens and the future generations to put some critical thought into who you vote for.
If there is one thing we can be sure of, it is that the voting public has grown wiser or, perhaps, more knowledgeable over the course of the last term.
We hope they are better prepared and ethically cued in to discern what constitutes a good leader.
There are some worrying signs that some results may be literally taken out of the hands of voters.
Electoral fraud and blatant vote tampering as well as the wholesale casting of ineligible votes are rampant during election time.
With the polling period to be 15 days long (June 23 to July 6), we hope that the majority and those in charge of the election process act conscientiously to prevent any such actions that may compromise our election.
The last elections had several instances of failed results due mainly to ballot boxes being declared invalid by electoral returning officers.
There were also discrepancies with vote counts and preferences.
With the increased presence of the police and defence force personnel on the ground, we hope this delivers a smoother election process.
Whatever the outcome of the election, the people must realise that if conducted fairly and according to procedure, the results must be accepted by all.
Candidates who have grievances may take up their cases with the appropriate authorities – the court of disputed returns – but as for the people they must flourish or suffer with their choices.
De Nesonolis
It is assumed that today’s session will be a mere formality for both the government, middle and opposition benches with all members practically in unison on the election schedule. If there were voices of dissension or a push from whichever quarter to stall the election, or defer proceedings, then that time has come and gone.
Rumours of an impending motion to remove Prime Minister Peter O’Neill must be seen for what they are, simply the uttering of individuals who have lost touch with reality or are just intent on causing unnecessary anxiety.
With the issue of writs on Friday, we are just a little over five weeks away from the moment the first voter casts his or her all-important vote on June 23 in the 109 electorates of PNG.
Election fever has not quite reached a crescendo yet but, be rest assured, it will start building up in the coming days and weeks.
Campaigning is set to shift into high gear from next week.
One party leader has openly stated that his budget for the coming elections is K30 million.
He is aiming to win as much as 80% of the open seats. That maybe an ambitious claim but we feel that it is time elections were less about money and more about selecting the best person for the job.
The eligible voting population has a weighty task at hand; one that they cannot take lightly.
A record number of candidates have so far been nominated for the 2012 race. With the close of nominations next Friday, this number could swell to more than 4,000.
Despite the penchant for the electorate to swoon to whichever candidate can offer incentives in return for votes, people must vote with their conscience rather than with the singular thought of gaining something in return.
Our members are, after all, just representatives of the people.
They are only required, when in power, to make laws and direct government machinery to enforce those laws.
They are required to see to it that the key indicators for growth and development are being met and improved on.
Improved health services, better schools and roads and bridges and an environment conducive for business and employment growth is what every winning candidate should aim for in his or her five-year stint as MP.
If little development has seen your district in the past five years or more, then, you must ask yourselves who you voted in and why he has not delivered.
If excessive politicking, sheer incompetence, greed or indifference have bogged down the prospects of your electorate or province, then you, as the voter, owe it to yourself, your fellow citizens and the future generations to put some critical thought into who you vote for.
If there is one thing we can be sure of, it is that the voting public has grown wiser or, perhaps, more knowledgeable over the course of the last term.
We hope they are better prepared and ethically cued in to discern what constitutes a good leader.
There are some worrying signs that some results may be literally taken out of the hands of voters.
Electoral fraud and blatant vote tampering as well as the wholesale casting of ineligible votes are rampant during election time.
With the polling period to be 15 days long (June 23 to July 6), we hope that the majority and those in charge of the election process act conscientiously to prevent any such actions that may compromise our election.
The last elections had several instances of failed results due mainly to ballot boxes being declared invalid by electoral returning officers.
There were also discrepancies with vote counts and preferences.
With the increased presence of the police and defence force personnel on the ground, we hope this delivers a smoother election process.
Whatever the outcome of the election, the people must realise that if conducted fairly and according to procedure, the results must be accepted by all.
Candidates who have grievances may take up their cases with the appropriate authorities – the court of disputed returns – but as for the people they must flourish or suffer with their choices.
De Nesonolis
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