By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE National Security Agencies have expressed concerns about the increasing danger posed by the voting population, highlighting the potential for a disastrous 2027 national election.
These agencies have advised the Government to initiate immediate planning measures to avert such scenario.
The warnings were issued by senior officials from the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF), National Intelligence Organization (NIO), and Office of Security and Coordination (OSCA) during an election summit held at APEC Haus in Port Moresby last Monday.
Chief of PNGDF, Major General Mark Goina remarked that there has been a noticeable change in the behavior of the people.
He cited examples such as the burning down of counting rooms and ballot papers in the Markham Open and Kabwum Open areas of Morobe Province.
Goina attributed this being lack of security planning as those areas were not adequately considered during the initial planning stages.
He emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating that had they been aware of these issues, they could have promptly addressed them, unfortunately, they were caught off guard.
Major General Goina also criticized the poor planning of the 2022 National Election, stating that problems were being tackled during the election process instead of prior to it.
He stressed the importance of planning ahead, highlighting the necessity of initiating preparations for the 2027 election to avoid similar situation.
Major General Goina expressed disappointment with the logistics and resources that arrived after the election, which were essential for the smooth running of the electoral operations.
He further criticized the inadequate coordination between state agencies responsible for election planning.
Addressing the trend of violent behavior among voters observed during the 2022 national elections, Major General Goina emphasized the need to develop plans to address such incidents in the 2027 National Elections.
He questioned whether their way of operation should be altered, considering that military weapons are meant to protect citizens and not harm them.
He said the dilemma faced by security forces arises when voter behavior escalates beyond control.
Goina raised a pertinent question: How should they respond when properties are damaged and lives are lost, as seen in the Southern Highlands where all properties and ballot boxes were burned?
Terence Frawley, Director General of NIO, echoed similar sentiments and conveyed his involvement in National Elections planning since 1987.
He described the 2022 National Election as the worst ever conducted in PNG.
Noting that violence was brewing in identified hotspots as early as 2021, Frawley explained how officers were deployed to these areas.
Unfortunately, insufficient funding hindered their operations, thereby affecting the security forces.
Frawley emphasized the need for resilience and proactive decision-making in preparation for the 2027 national election.
Charlie Imbu, Director for Coordination at OSCA, called upon the Inter Departmental Election Committee (IDEC) to commence planning for the 2027 national elections without delay.
