PM James Marape: Vote along party lines

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

PM James Marape: Vote along party lines

PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guineans must seriously consider voting along party lines for General Election 2022 (GE22), Prime Minister James Marape says.

“You have no choice. Vote along party lines for a stable Government to guarantee strong socio-economic growths,” he added.

“I will not tell you who to vote for or what party to vote for. That is your democratic right, but I want you to know that all voters will have a say through the ballot papers on which party will form the next Government and who will become the prime minister,” he added.

He also appealed to Papua New Guineans to pray for peace and calm, as “we enter the final two phases of GE22 – polling and counting”.

“As campaigns draw to a close (today), I appeal for peace and calm and reflection over the weekend, before voting starts on Monday (to July 22),” he added.

PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few GE22 news updates as reported by The National:

PM: Vote along party lines

July 1, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By REBECCA KUKU
PAPUA New Guineans must seriously consider voting along party lines for General Election 2022 (GE22), Prime Minister James Marape says.
“You have no choice. Vote along party lines for a stable government to guarantee strong socio-economic growths,” he said.
“I will not tell you who to vote for, or what party to vote for.
“That is your democratic right, but I want you to know, that all voters will have a say through the ballot papers on which party will form the next Government and who will become the prime minister.
“Your five minutes at the polls will decide the next five years for this country. The choice is in your hands. But if you believe that Pangu should remain as the Government, or if you believe in my leadership, then vote for Pangu candidates.
“The same goes for the People’s National Congress, the PNG Party and the National Alliance, if you think the next prime minister should be Peter O’Neill or Belden Namah.
“And when you cast your ballots, ask yourself if the candidate you are voting for will bring change and prosperity for the people and country. Do I trust them to look after my money? Do I trust them to take care of my wife and children’s health? Will he remember me in the next five years?
“Ask yourselves those questions, go through the party’s policies and make a wise choice.”
Papua New Guineas will go to the polls from Monday to July 22 to elect their leaders for the 118-seat Parliament.

---

Pangu leaves Juffa’s seat alone

THE Pangu Pati is leaving the Northern regional seat held by Gary Juffa alone because he is a “like-minded leader”, says party leader James Marape.
Marape said during a rally in Popondetta that the party had not fielded a candidate for the seat because Juffa also believed in the “take back PNG” dream.
But the party is fielding candidates for the three open seats in Northern, with incumbent Henry Jons Amuli hoping to retain his Sohe seat, Isiah Mamuare for Ijivitari and Thomas Barama Somboba vying for the Popondetta seat.
Marape said the party hoped to do its best for the country although it would not solve all the problems.
“I’m not going to tell you that when you vote Pangu, we will solve all your problems or address all your issues. But I can promise you that we will do our best for you and the country,” he said.
“Our theme is to go rural. We want to connect PNG, build roads into rural areas where more than 80 per cent of our people live.
“We want to upgrade the airstrips in remote areas, and reintroduce flights with lower fees for passengers and freight so that people can transport and sell their food crops.”
Marape promised an equal distribution of government services.

---

K12 billion borrowed to fix debts of past regimes: Marape

PRIME Minister James Marape says his Pangu Pati-led Government had to borrow K12 billion to settle outstanding loans taken out by past governments to keep the country’s economy afloat.
“The previous governments had borrowed with high interest rates and short repayment times,” he said.
“We did the best we could, taking loans from credible sources, like the Asian Development Bank and the Japanese government at a lower interest rate.
“In fact, Japan gave us the loan at 0.01 interest rate and a repayment term of over 20 years.
“The previous government led by the People’s National Congress party took out loans at a high interest rate and repayment term of just three years. So when we took office in 2019, we had to repay, so we took those loans to settle their debts.”
Marape told a party rally in Northern that those were the valid reasons why his Government had to borrow, just to keep the economy afloat.
He said when the Pangu Pati took office, the country was already in economic recession.
“There was also an outbreak of the Covid-19, economies worldwide were affected as many countries went into lockdowns,” he said.
“But we did the best we could for the people and country.”

PM: Pray for peace, calm

July 1, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By STAFF REPORTERS
PRIME Minister James Marape has appealed to the nation to pray for peace and calm, as we enter the final two phases – polling and counting – of General Election 2022 (GE22).
“As campaigns draw to a close across the nation, I appeal for peace, calm and reflection over the weekend, before voting starts on Monday,” Marape said.
“The best team of leaders (to be in charge) for the next five years will emerge (when the election process is completed).
“I (request) those worshipping on the Sabbath, or on Sunday, to pray for God’s inspiration on the election process, (to give) the best outcome for PNG.
“A sincere prayer will be heard by God, irrespective of who we are, as God sees right through all our motives.”
Voters in the National Capital District will go to the polling stations around the capital city from 8am on Monday.
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai said electoral officials were trying their best to get everything done by July 15 to allow time for counting in the provinces.
“All the election-related materials have been sent to the provinces and all that remains now is for people to (cast their votes) on the date of polling,” he said.
Voters will elect 118 members of parliament, including governors of the 22 provinces, from the 3,600-plus candidates nominated.
There are 6,000 polling teams in the 22 provinces.
For those wanting to vote in their villages, lists will be distributed in the main towns by the returning officers and assistant returning officers of the main polling sites, Sinai added.
He said one scrutineer would accompany a voter to the polling booth, in case the voter needs assistance.
There will be three lanes: One for men, one for women, and one for the elderly, persons living with disabilities and expectant mothers.
Workshops for the international observers end today.
They will be travelling to the provinces with Electoral Commission staff this weekend.
Sinai clarified that the polling dates would differ according to the regions and provinces.
He said most of the polling would take place on July 11 and 12, and not go beyond July 15, so as to give time to counting officials to do their jobs before the return of writs.
Marape said voters must treat their duty to choose their leaders seriously.
“All of us have been campaigning hard as we want the best for our country,” he said.