By CClifford Faiparik
PORT Moresby Metropolitan Police commander Superintendent Gideon Ikumu has urged candidates to control their supporters to behave in a civilised manner during campaigning.
Ikumu made this known during the drawing of the candidates’ ballot box number at Sir John Guise stadium in Port Moresby on Friday.
“Your supporter’s behavior will definitely reflect the type of leadership qualities you have. And In Port Moresby I don’t expect the kind of behavior that we see in outside Provinces. Police will be out there to do their work to make sure that there is law and order to ensure that there is a free fair and safe election. And we are not out there to fight with you. We are out there to make sure that the environment is peaceful so that each one of you the voters out there will exercise their rights and choose a leader to come in clean so that everyone knows,” Ikumu said.
“I appeal to you candidates how you influence the kind of influence for your people should already reflect the kind of leaders you are.
“When they (National Capital District Commission) were talking about liquor ban in the city I said no. why because our economy has already been affected by the Covid-19 and so it should not have another strain on our economy.
“In the city we should be having the best behavior that must show Papua New Guinea is coming of age. And it will start with you leaders. How you influence your crowd, how you run your campaign, it must start with you. And I expect it to start with you because if you don’t, then it will become a law and order issue. But police will be out there to make sure that this doesn’t happen and we will. And if we have to use force, then we will use the amount of force that is reasonable to make sure there is calm, peacefulness and a good environment for people to exercise their constitutional rights freely. In the city we must set an example of a very good election for the people of PNG to deserve