Prime Minister James Marape says the Government has so far allocated K274.4 million for security operations in the 2022 General Election to make it “fair and safe” for all citizens. This is the largest amount of money every allocated for election security operations. PM Marape said this today (May 31 2022) after a meeting with Police Commissioner David Manning, PNG Defence Force Commander Major-General Mark Goina and Correctional Service Commissioner Stephen Pokanis. Also present for the meeting was Inter-Departmental Election Committee Chairman and Secretary for Prime Minister and NEC Ivan Pomaleu. “We have given more support to our disciplinary forces in 2022, unlike previous elections, such as in 2012 and 2017,” PM Marape said. “The Government, under the watch of the Pangu Pati, delivered to this country its sovereignty and democracy in 1975 and continues to this day. “As the party that is now in charge of the Executive Government, supervising and resourcing the electoral process, we will be fully supporting Police, PNGDF and Correctional Service, as well as Electoral Commission, to give our people the opportunity to cast their votes for the leaders of their choice. “To date, Police have so far received K190 million, PNGDF have received K72.8 million, Correctional Service have received K11.6 million – a total of K274.4 million. “All three heads of our security forces confirmed to me today that they are equipped and ready to go, and are well-resourced to assist the Electoral Commission deliver a fair and safe 2022 General Election.” PM Marape said the heads of the three security forces would meet Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai tomorrow (June 1 2022) to discuss security during polling, which was scheduled to start on July 4, and plan for that. “As Prime Minister,” he said, “I am satisfied that the security forces have been given good support by our Government. “I want to thank our Treasury and Finance departments for ensuring that our security forces are resourced. “Likewise, we’ve given adequate support to the Electoral Commission, to ensure that they are ready for polling, counting, declarations and return of writs. “So far, so good, and I want to thank citizens nationwide for their support in terms of allowing nominations to conclude well right across the country, except for one or two areas. “We are going into campaigning now, and from the briefing I’ve received from Police, they are ready to apprehend and arrest any candidates or supporters who engage in illegal activities. “Police will be informing the public about election offences. “We want these elections to be fair and safe for all citizens to cast their votes for leaders of their choice.”