#PNG goes to the polls: SNAPSHOTS OF ELECTION 2012

Prime Minister Peter O'Neil votes at his home village in Kauwo near Pangia station, Southern Highlands Province.
pic  by   Russell  Saigomi

From the Highlands to the coast and throughout the atolls and islands, Papua New Guinea goes to the polls in one of the most decisive moments in its short history. At stake is the questions; “what is the appropriate model of development and who will bring thousands of rural communities out of the stone age into the 21^st century?”

Despite various setbacks and hiccups, that have become more pronounced today due to the advent of mobile technology and the explosion of social media, all systems seem relatively normal.

Long queues are being witnessed throughout the nation of 7.5 million Melanesians who live a stone’s throw away from Northern tip of Australia. As is the case with previous elections, some voters have been turned away at the polling stations as their names weren’t on the Voter Register.

Long queue at a polling station in Port Moresby. pic by Belinda Kora

David Williams, a regular commentator on social media site Facebook, noted this anomaly with the voter figures:

“I am intrigued to see that there are 4.8 million PNGians on the electoral rolls for this election (Post Courier, 18 June). According to the 2000 Census, there were 5,190,786 people in PNG, and the average annual population growth rate was 3.2%, which means that the 2012 PNG population could be as high as 7,575,120. Now consider for a moment that 47.98% of the population are under the age of 18 years - and there are ineligible to vote - that's a whopping 3,634,901 children, babies and teenagers. It leaves behind a total of 3,940,219 PNGians who, being older than 18 are eligible to vote in these elections.

So where then, assuming every single person over 18 years of age in this country is indeed properly registered to vote, do the the other 859,781 voters on the electoral rolls come from???”

Elderly gentleman casts his vote in Port Moresby. pic by Paul Barker

Former Trade Union Leader Michael Malabag, who is contesting the seat held by Sir Mekere Morauta, who is retiring, has described day one of polling in Port Moresby as “a bloody  shambles”. Confusion reigned in some parts of the city though senior broadcaster Belinda Kora reported having successfully cast her vote in Port Moresby North East electorate. Paul Barker from the Institutute of National Affairs reported that Port Moresby was supposed to have one day of polling but there is a possibility of voting to continue tommorow although there is no official word on the matter.

Polling in Port Moresby.. pic by Belinda Kora

Meanwhile in the rural areas, the folks in Goilala in the Central Province, have gone full swing into polling with the exception of Tapini Government station. Voting in Abau in Central Province is also fully underway.

Polling in Abau, Central Province. pic by Vespa

Voting in Madang has been slow but progressing. Reports from the hundred mountains of Josephstaal indicate a very tense situation. Polling was well and truly underway at Rempi village in the SUMKAR open seat currently held by Housing Minister Ken Fairweather.

Polling Team 17 MULLG for Madang Open at Polls yesterday.  pic by  Gaunzville

In East Sepik there are reports of Ballot Boxes being destroyed and smashed in Yangoru and Wosera Districts. Otherwise Police are generally in control of the electoral process. Sir Michael Somare, the founding father of modern Papua New Guinea is contesting the East Sepik Regional seat, a seat he has held since Independence during one of the most colourful political careers anywhere on this planet. Sir Michael is credited with bringing together 700 indeginous nations and driving into them a sense of Nationhood and being united under the Flag of a modern State.

Policemen and women guarding the first ballot boxes stored in this container at the Viaq Police Station in Wewak after the first day of polling on Saturday. pic by Gregory M Pegines

These elections for Papua New Guinea’s 8^th National Parliament mark the end of the Independence era as it moves into the Post Independence Parliaments fuelled by the $15 billion dollar Gas Economy. A lot is at stake as the country’s elite squabble over power and prestige handed to them by the people’s consent written on a white piece of paper stashed inside a clear plastic ballot box.

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