New Ireland, PPC, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat, confirms that Niu Ailan Polis is ready to ensure, security for the 2022 National General Election in the province is guaranteed.
This was reiterated upon the arrival of the non-sensitive election materials in Kavieng recently. Niu Ailan Polis is on par with protecting election materials that is kept under police scrutiny.
“When I received word about the arrival of the non-sensitive materials, I made it my business to liaise with the electoral commission and ensure, that there was police escort for the materials as they are dispatched to Namatanai,” Nebanat said.
He confirmed that a section of the Tomaringa squad was tasked to escort the election team to ensure the materials are safely delivered to its designated destination.
He further stressed that the last thing he wants is for people to be raising eyebrows as to why there is no police escort while transporting election materials whether they are sensitive or non-sensitive.
“We have to remain vigilant always in carrying out our duties in making sure this election is safe, fair and secure,” Nebanat said. PPC Nebanat reveals that his operation order is all set with 2 sections from Tomaringa mobile squad already on the ground (here since end of last month for law-and-order sues) and a platoon plus from the PNG Defence Force expected to arrive later on this week.
He said that the additional personnel from sister forces and units will be embedding into his command structure to give support to his 325 local police from the Province.
Nebanat strongly warned candidates, groups and supporters with the intention to rig the election to refrain from that intent, as he will not hesitate to deal with this offence with the highest level of force to appropriately deal with such situations if and when they arise.
New Ireland Assistant Election Manageress Ms. Annette Bais also stressed upon the arrival of non-sensitive election materials that this election is anticipated to be different from the previous elections with higher risks anticipated according to threat analysis.
However, the New Ireland electoral office has confidence in the Niu Ailan Polis to ensure the election process comes to a successful conclusion and is carried out transparently and safely.
She confirms that the arrival of the non-sensitive materials completes the necessary election materials required for polling as New Ireland prepares to join the nation in going into polls in a weeks’ time.
The non-sensitive materials include voting compartments, polling and voting stationaries, inks and toners, counting election forms and presiding officers’ journals that totals to 93 pieces, 46 of which are for Namatanai Open and the balance for Kavieng Open electorate.