Photo: PM Marape addressing the people of remote Maramuni in Enga
According to James Marape, the 2022 General Election will go place as planned and will not be postponed.
He stated this to calm worries that the polls will be postponed, which had been fueled by speculation and bogus news on social media.
“The elections will not be delayed and will go ahead as scheduled,” PM Marape said.
“We are working together with the Electoral Commission to ensure that the elections are on time.”
PM Marape stated that there would be a lot of adjustments in this year's elections.
“For purposes of transparency, we will have Transparency International, National Research Institute and civil society representation in the Elections Planning Committee,” he said.
“We will have separate voting queues for men and women to cast their votes without undue influence, as in the past.
“It is the right of voters to make their choice based on their God-given wisdom – not on inducements, bribery, cash, food, wantok system or hype
“We will have CCTV used for counting to make the elections fair and friendly for all.”
PM Marape further stated that election officials who engaged in "improper and unlawful behaviour" during polls would face serious punishment.
“There will be severe penalties for election officials engaged in corrupt practices at polling places,” he said.
“A vote is the sanctified responsibility of each individual to cast his or her vote for a leader, who they feel will represent them in Parliament.
“It’s a high calling of each individual and must not be tampered by an ineffective process or corrupt election officials, campaign managers and officials, or candidates themselves.”
Reference: PM James Marape News Page (4 April 2022). “PM Marape says 2022 elections will go ahead as scheduled”.
