Chief Secretary Lupari issues stern warning on Election interruptions

Chief Secretary to Government Isaac Lupari,  has extended a stern warning to anyone trying to disrupt the 2017 national elections, to beware of the law.

Whilst addressing the Heads of Department and State Agencies meeting in Mendi Town, Southern Highlands Province, Amb Lupari outlined the preparations of the elections and assured that security would be fully funded, supported and in full force during the election period.
“If you are intending on disrupting the elections, I urge you to think again as the law will catch up on you,” Amb Lupari warned.

He said as public servants, it is our responsibility to ensure a free, fair and safe election is held in the coming weeks.
“I urge all of you (Heads of Department and State Agencies), to work closely with our three security forces to ensure a free, fair and safe national election, throughout the country.
“The printing of all our ballot papers in Indonesia have already been completed and flown into Port Moresby.

“They now bear 15 security features (eight more than ballot papers in the past) making it very difficult to cheat during the elections,” Amb Lupari said.
He also confirmed that the common roll was in its final stages of completion, to ensure the exact number of eligible voters nationwide, so that excess ballot papers would be destroyed publicly.
“This to ensure accountability so that no extra or illegitimate votes are cast during the election period,” Amb Lupari said.
For allowances for the deployed security personnel, he announced that a proper process has been introduced, where our security personnel don’t carry around with them large amounts of money, like in the past.

“All allowances will now be paid directly to the bank accounts of the security personnel,” Amb Lupari said.
AMB. ISAAC B. LUPARI, CBE