Police Commissioner David Manning has announced the establishment of the Joint Security Task Force Call centre for the 2022 National General Election.
Mr Manning, who is also the chairman of the Joint Security Task Force, said as of yesterday (1st July 2022), callers can call the Joint Security Task Force Call Centre hotline number 1800500 to request for election information such as polling schedules, polling sites or to report an election related concern or crime.
“We will have five lines dedicated to the public on a 24-hour basis until August 31st 2022 to assist the people with their queries. Staff manning the call centre will provide election information on the spot as required. All police complaints will be referred to the Joint Security Task Force Command Centre for analysis, assessment with directives issued to respective commands around the country for further action,” Mr Manning said.
The Commissioner said during the election period members of the security forces, especially police will be heavily engaged in election security operations so the people are not given the assurance that someone will be there to listen to them.
“With the establishment of the Control Centre we are giving confidence back to the people. Their concerns and complaints will be heard and we will act upon them if and as necessary,” Mr Manning said.
Meanwhile, Mr Manning said election security operations around the country have progressed well with the Quick Response Force consisting of Police, Defence and Correctional Services already inserted into the highlands. He said Mobile Squads from the Special Services Division have been deployed for election security duties for provinces within the New Guinea Islands and Southern regions.
Mr Manning said all commands from around the country are being positioned to provide security for polling when it commences on Monday July 4. Polling for the Hela province kicks off on July 4. The other two provinces within the Highlands Western Divisional Command, Enga and the Southern Highlands Provinces, commences on July 7 and 11 respectively.
Polling for the Highlands Eastern Divisional Command commences on July 12 for Eastern Highlands Province, July 13 for both Jiwaka and Western Highlands provinces and Simbu Province on July 15.
Polling in the Northern Divisional Command commences on July 4 for both Lae Metro and the Morobe Province. Madang will be polling on July 7 and the Eastern Highlands Province on 12 July.
Mr Manning said all logistical arrangements including air support for security personnel engaged in polling duties as well as the QRF are in place and will be provided as and when required.
“As we go to the polls on Monday I wish to again appeal to candidates, their supporters and the general public to take responsibility and make this a free, fair, safe and corruption free election. I appeal also to all members of the Joint Security Task Force engaged in providing security for the election and members of the PNG Electoral Commission to be honest, diligent and committed in the discharge of their duties,” Mr Manning said.