TRANSPERANCY International PNG (TIPNG) wants the 2012 National Election to go ahead.
Source: Post Courier
TIPNG chairman Lawrence Stephens stated that TI had taken this position because they were reliably informed that the electoral rolls were as ready as they had ever been and possibly more so.
It stated that it is extremely disappointing to hear that Members of Parliament are deliberately creating fear with the impression that PNG is less prepared than it has been in the past.
He said TIPNG was calling on all qualified citizens to ensure that they were on the rolls which were available in their districts and to insist on exercising their rights to vote now, not at some time determined by people who were due to face the voters, from June 23, 2012 until July 7 in accordance with the laws.
TIPNG say the organisation is alarmed by calls from Members of Parliament to delay the National Elections. We are on the verge of our ninth General Election and elections are the only time the people have an opportunity to confirm their support for leadership ones.
“We have the experience of eight elections and the efforts of a large number of good people behind the preparations for the coming elections. We view with the greatest concern suggestions that we should delay the elections scheduled to commence on 23rd June 2012,” Mr Stephens said.
He said the people of PNG know that it was their right to vote for their representatives.
They know also that the thought of hanging onto public office for a little longer is attractive to those about to face the judgment of their electorates.
Mr Stephens said it was too easy to say
“we are not prepared for the elections and use this as an excuse to stay in power longer, if we used this argument we would never have had any one of the last eight election’’.
He said the people had witnessed many efforts to deny citizens their rights as their elected leaders find ways around the law as they battle each other in the courts.
He said this could be another attempt by politicians to avoid facing tthe consequences of their actions.
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