500 soldiers deployed to support police in highlands

POLICE officers overseeing security in the highlands region have been asked to conduct their duties professionally and with restraint.
National elections joint task force commander for the Highlands region, Lt-Col Ezekia Wenzel, hopes the PNG Defence Force, through its newly-created civil military coordination centre, national election officers and the media will ensure a safe, fair and good election.
Wenzel said about 500 soldiers would be deployed to provide support to police.
They will be based in Mt Hagen.
Wenzel said due to the high risk environment during elections in the highlands, the region had to be assigned a joint task command.
Mamose, Southern Highlands and New Guinea Islands regions will all come under one joint task command.
PNGDF chief of staff Capt Tom Ur said the media must report with care to give a true and fair picture of what was happening.
He said it was important they reported facts.
The police commanders in the Highlands will be in charge of election operations and the PNGDF joint task command will provide assistance to them.

Source:
The National, Thursday 31st May, 2012

UNDERSTANDING THE LPV SYSTEM IN THIS YEARS ELECTION

What my MP should Do!

TRUTH HAS BEEN MOMENTARILY SUSPENDED

TRUTH HAS BEEN MOMENTARILY SUSPENDED
By GDW

People ask me how the politicians can do this or that. "What does the law say about this and that?"

Before I answer I say, "the law doesn't seem to matter any more...but I'll just try tell you what it says..."

Is the law relevant anymore?

We got people who make their own laws and amend and follow them as we go along. The true law, the Constitution, doesn't matter to them anymore. They're a law unto themselves.

They are collectively now "The King"...they make the rules, interpret the rules, execute the rules...and they break it whenever it suits them. I can explain the law till I'm blue in the face. But if it's lost its authority to a group of whimsical men then what's the use?

And if we are content to say "let it go, it's all good", then why should anyone be subjected to the law in the future? It has no authority except the authority we give it. Now isn't it true that all we need is majority decision and we can do anything? No matter how unlawful or immoral it is. Shall we just "let it go" whenever a person commits a crime for a "worthy" cause? How can we ever entertain such a thought?

There is no authority above us except a few rich men who are each elected by a tiny few thousand in some constituency, yet they claim to speak for the nation, as if they are all-knowing and omnipresent. They certainly believe they are all-powerful. There is no law above them. Their will is law.

Everything is permissible. Everything is prohibited. All at the same time. Everything is subjective: applied only when circumstances and popular demand, emotion and self-interest allow.

Such is the scary reality when we lose ourselves to subjectivity, trading truth for preferences. Chaos and confusion are the order of things when the law is interpreted subjectively or completely ignored by people.

We all require rules or standards to keep order; to maintain coherence in society and in discourse. Whether we're debating on Sharp Talk, or minding our businesses on the streets, or playing sport, or conducting national affairs. There has to be something greater than ourselves that guides us. There cannot be coherent discussion on Sharp Talk if we didn't have some unwritten rules to keep discussions coherent. No sport can be played fairly without rules or with two sets of rules. No national affair can be conducted outside of the law without creating chaos and confusion and attracting the stigma of corruption. During elections imagine if there weren't rules on campaigning and electioneering. And for lawyers attending court...imagine no court rules. Chaos.

If we each define our own truth, if we define our own rules, if we define our own morality, we can never hope for a coherent society; let alone a society based on justice, fairness and equality. If anything, the events of the last few months since August last year prove that beyond doubt. Popular vote is not an accurate measure of right and just. It never was. Truth cannot be voted in or out. It depends not on whether we believe it, like it or hate it. It just is. You see if you and I start differing on the nature of truth itself we lose any basis on which we can argue ANY case. You cannot battle on two complete different arenas in completely different worlds. Such a war has no beginning and definitely no end.

If justice is defined by the person who has the power, not having obtained that power justly, then justice itself loses meaning and authority. And when those who do have the power to interpret and declare justice, that power being bestowed justly, are not allowed the freedom to do so without fear, favour or intimidation, where else can we go to inform ourselves of what is right and what is wrong. How can we establish justice if we reject the institutions and the documents that were mandated to guide us through those questions?

Our nation, despite daily life going on as normal, was brought to its knees in its politics and its jurisprudence, as justice and truth, righteousness, and the law, were redefined to suit warring parties. As in any sport the fight is unfair when one team does not play by the rules. No matter how popular that team is, it is not entitled to win.

Regardless of how popular Mike Tyson was with the crowd, biting Evander Holyfield's ear wasn't within the rules; and so Tyson was disqualified and de-licensed. Should it have been let go because Tyson was popular?

Should we let it go because it is the popular sentiment? Or shall we return to the rule of law now? Shall we seek to enforce it and establish justice once again?

Shall we restore the authority of the Constitution so that in future we can still aspire to create a law-abiding society? God knows we need such a society.

God Bless Papua New Guinea.

Ganjiki

New political stand-off in PNG

Papua New Guinea saw more political drama on Wednesday, when the acting governor-general suspended a ceremony to swear in the newly elected prime minister.

Peter O'Neill had travelled to Government House to be sworn in after parliament elected him unopposed as prime minister.

The acting governor-general, Geoffrey Nape, walked into the swearing-in ceremony and said it would be suspended while he studied the official documents.

Then he walked out.


Perturbed

A slightly perturbed looking Mr O'Neill told Mr Nape's secretary the parliament had directed him to conduct the ceremony.

There was no response and Mr O'Neill said: "We'll wait."

Mr O'Neill was voted in a day after the post was declared vacant in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that Sir Michael Somare was the legitimate leader.

Mr O'Neill was the only candidate nominated for the position and won the vote in the national parliament 56-0.

Prevent

The deputy speaker, Francis Marus, first tried to prevent Mr O'Neill and Sir Michael from nominating.

He said they were at the heart of the country's political crisis.

But he backed down after MPs threatened a motion of dissent.

Parliament was then adjourned and Mr O'Neill went to Government House to be sworn in by the acting governor-general.

His rival, Sir Michael, is not in Port Moresby and his supporters say the vote in parliament is unconstitutional.

Mr O'Neill has been the country's effective prime minister amid the political turmoil of the past few months.

Parliament sat to elect a prime minister after the deputy speaker Marus on Tuesday upheld a Supreme Court ruling that Sir Michael Somare was PNG's legitimate leader - before declaring the office vacant because Sir Michael had missed three sittings of parliament.

Ms Tekwie to contest Vanimo-Green

LEADER of PNG Greens Party and advocator, Dorothy Tekwie is contesting the Vanimo Green seat currently held by sitting member and Deputy Prime Minister, Belden Namah in this 9th general election.
She made her intentions known that her run in this big race was for the silent majority of her Vanimo Green electorate people who suffer from their land and resources that have been exploited by foreigners and their PNG cronies. And her stand in this election is to fight against these sensitive issues currently faced in the electorate and the rest of Papua New Guinea.
Ms Tekwie is a strong advocator who has been on the limelight on issues affecting environment, women and politics. She stood firm on the recent Women in Politics saga and the Special Purpose Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) which was an issue she and her colleagues had been campaigning over the years that led to the then Somare Government establishing a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the scheme.
Asked about her contesting the election, she said: “I have a right to contest just like other 20 plus candidates going for the same seat.
It is the people’s seat and the people of Vanimo-Green have the prerogative to elect their representative who with good leadership quality can change the face of Vanimo-Green electorate over the last five years.’’
Ms Tekwie added that the voting power rests upon the people to either retain back the sitting MP or vote in new member into parliament upon their observations.
Ms Tekwie says she is ready to face the challenge in this election. With good educational back ground along with having top ranking files in several organisations is an extra bonus for the advocator to berth on. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work with honours from UPNG, has worked with UNDP for many years as National Programme Manager before moving to politics.
She was adviser for Social Sector to Prime Minister Julius Chan, served as First Secretary to an Opposition MP, a Government Minister and Consultant Adviser to Office of Speaker late Bernard Narokobi before moving into promoting of landowner rights to protect and conserve the forests and environment as campaigner with world renowned environment group Greenpeace.

3435 candidates vie for 109 seats

A RECORD number of 3435 candidates have nominated for the 2012 general election, which is 676 more than in the 2007 polls and includes 135 women who have come forward to try and enter the made dominated Parliament.
Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen yesterday announced these record figures from all the nomination data collected to date for the 2012 polls, which many people see as the most important and crucial election in Papua New Guinea’s 37-year history. (see full listing on page 8)
According to the figures, the seat with the least number of candidates is the Prime Minister’s own electorate of Ialibu Pangia with eight nominees, boosting Peter O’Neill’s chances of retaining his seat in a comfortable, if not landslide victory.
The seven candidates have all indicated that they will contest jointly in a combined bid to unseat Mr O’Neill, who is the second Highlands Prime Minister after Western Highlander Paias Wingti.
Leading the challenge to oust the Prime Minister is local businessman and owner of Yumi Yet Real Estate Eke Lama.
The small number of candidates – compared to the rest of the electorates in the country – is probably an indication of the popular public support Mr O’Neill has in his Ialibu Pangia electorate.
His people have repeatedly declared in public that the Prime Minister will again stroll in to serve his third term on the first count.
Mr O’Neill, who is leader of People National Congress, and his colleague, Kandep MP and leader of THE Party Don Polye, were the only two Highlands MPs to have won on first-count votes in the 2007 election when the Preferential Voting System was introduced, replacing the First Past the Post system.
Commenting on the record figures, Commissioner Trawen said: “This is the highest number of candidates to contest a national general election since the first election in 1977. A total of 2759 candidates nominated to contest the election in 2007 and 2910 nominated in 2002.”
He said out of the total of 3435 candidates, a record number of 135 women nominated, compared with 101 in 2007.
“Southern Region registered the highest number of female candidates with 56, followed by Momase with 30, Highlands 27 and New Guinea Islands with 22. Of the 22 provinces, Enga is the only one that did not record any female candidates,” Mr Trawen said.
Highlands Region has the most number of candidates with 1388 followed by Southern Region with 986, Momase 824 and New Guinea Islands with 328.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister O’Neill yesterday urged candidates and voters not to incite violence during the election period, following media reports that one man had died and two others received serious injuries after violence flared up between supporters of two opposing candidates during nominations in Jimi electorate in Jiwaka Province last Wednesday.
He said the 2012 elections gave the people “an opportunity to vote good leaders into Parliament to bring change and much needed services to our districts”.
“Voters should use the campaign period to assess the candidates contesting in their area. Are they worthy candidates? Do they have the personality and virtues to be good leaders? Have they got the right policy ideas for development?” he said.
“Voters should listen to candidates and ask questions about what they stand for. Violence stands for nothing and will bring us nothing but misery and hardship to our families and our community,” the Prime Minister said.
“This election is crucial for all of us and our children. Do we want to elect good leaders to continue the change and improvement in service delivery that (my) Government has started or go back to the miserable days of the last nine years under Somare? That’s the challenge ahead of us, and violence will not help us make the right choice.”
Prime Minister O’Neill said under the call-out authorised by the National Executive Council, Police and Defence Force personnel have already been deployed in troublespots in the Highlands, including Porgera in Enga and Tari in Hela Province where work on the multi-billion kina LNG Project is ongoing.


By SIMON ERORO and JOHNNY POIYA

Southern Region Male Candidates vs. Female Candidates

An analysis of Male Candidates and Female Candidates for the National Elections will be posted on this blog Starting with Southern Region.

Southern Region in Total has 24 seats be contested, and there is a Total Number of 895 candidates contesting, 837 are Male and 58 Female.

The Total number of Regional Seats is 6, with 214 Candidates contesting, 191 Male and 23 female

The Total Open Seats is 18, with 681 Candidates, 646 Male and 35 Female.

Based on Graphs Below;

Although most of the the graphs depict dominance of male candidates,  one of the interesting things to note is that; there are more women candidates in Southern Contesting Regional Seats which may indicate the desire of women to serve in their own electorate and province, rather than being involved in politics at a National Level. (This post is purely for information purposes only and reader is encouraged to draw own conlusions from graphs).

Data and Graphs per electorate for Southern is available and maybe posted depending on number of requests recieved.

NGI REGION TO FOLLOW

Rabaul and Kokopo Candidate List

Rabaul has 12 candidates. Their candidate identification numbers are:

10 – Skerry Palanga
11 – Jeffrey Puipui
12 – Takale Tuna
13 – Bruce Alexander
14 – Dr Allan Marat
15 – William Kaputin
16 – Francis John Magel
17 – Raymond Paulias
18 - Steven Kevin Raflin
... 19 - Lawrence Wada Titimur
20 - Rosemary Vartuam Sovek
21 - Robin Mindin

Kokopo open electorate has 28 candidates. Their candidate identification numbers are:

10 – Gad M Ranson
11 – Kelly Lain
12 – Gesley Rivan Peter
13 – James Wong
14 – Michael Sirol Sinik Tanakanai
15 – Herman ToBaining Jnr
16 – Joe Meava
17 – Henry Libai
18 – John Rumet Boas
... 19 – Emil Tammur
20 – Henry Bubut
21 – Jack Tiriman Voivoi
22 – Ronny Ilam
23 – Kata Sialis
24 – Arnold Tivelit
25 – Andrew Dew Yamai
26 - Joseph Niuli
27 – Elias Talom Thomas
28 – Tiolam Wawaga
29 – Jude Billy
30 – Elisa Wada
31 – Joe Ben Quinie
32 – Ronnie Kamure
33 - Benjamin Mesmin Murliu
34 - Anton Kuanduo
35 – Vin Tata Lote
36 – Allan Baragu
37 – Albert Buanga


Information from ENB Election Manager Terence Hetinu

CANDIDATES FOR THE BOUGAINVILLE SEATS

Here is the list of candidates Contesting the four seats in Bougainville - 78 altogether.

REGIONAL: 12 candidates:
1. Joe Lera (United Resource),
2. Magdalene Toroansi (Independent), 3. Simon Pentanu (Melanesian Alliance),
4. Joe Watawi,
5. Sam Carol,
6. Lynette Ona (PNG National),
7. Marceline Getsi Laris (PNG),
8. Kapiatu Puarea (Independent),
9. Ismael Toarama,
10. Albert Magoi,
11. Fidelis Semoso
12. Henry Onsa Senior.

NORTH: 20 candidates:
1. Donald Hamau Tato (Independent),
2. Rachel Opeti Konaka (Independent),
3. William Nakin (National Alliance),
4. Louta Atoi (Peoples National Congress),
5. Robert Hamal Sawa (THE),
6. Noel Sarei (Independent),
7. Albert Toro,
8. Dominic Toapala Tumarr (Pangu),
9. Hilary Tsuno (Independent),
10. John Sisiesi (New Dawn Transformation),
11. Taihu Kiali Pias (Independent),
12. Lawrence Bele (Mama Papa Graun),
13. Gerard Masa (Peoples United Assembly),
14. Anthony Tsora (Melanesian Alliance),
15. Niue Sylvester (Indpendent),
16. Issac Heken Thompson (Independent),
17. Michael Hamon Ross,
18. John Biti Bule (PNG),
19. Francesca Rianna Semoso,
20. Damien Kora (PDM).

CENTRAL: 22 candidates:
1. Theresa Raina Niniku Jaintong (Independent),
2. Simon Baranangko (Independent),
3. Clarence Bensi (Independent),
4. Chris Korokoro (Our Development),
5. Chris Damana (United Resource),
6. Jimmy Miringtoro (Peoples National Congress),
7. Leo Reivasi (PNG National),
8. William Reinharot (Independent),
9. Dominic Itta (Peoples Movement),
10. Laurie Patrick (Independent),
11. Justin Borgia (Mama Papa Graun),
12. Rodney Osioco ( Independent),
13. Sam Akoitai (Melanesian Alliance),
14. Thomas Tamusio (Independent),
15. Martin Miriori (Independent),
16. Wesley Thomas (Independent),
17. Dominic Diuka,
18. Lohial Buaia Nuau,
19. Joe Taruna,
20. Chris Bao,
21. Matthew Kusa
22. Joseph Sipu.

SOUTH: 14 candidates:
1. Michael Laimo (National Alliance),
2. Peter Manuka (Independent),
3. Steven Pirika Kama (United Resource)
4. Timothy Masiu (National Alliance),
5. David Kawa,
6. Joseph Parum,
7. Thaddeus Kaile,
8. Patrick Heromate,
9. Michael Anugu,
10. Raymond Kakaponi,
11. Gabriel Pantei,
12. Peter Channel Tengka,
13. Joseph Moikui
14. Peter Bana.

Sir Michael begins plan to stop O’Neill and Namah

GRAND chief Sir Michael Somare has begun his campaign in earnest to stop Peter O’Neill and Belden Namah from leading the country again.
Sir Michael led his National Alliance Party on the campaign trail last week after being blocked from entering Government House to have his interim regime sworn in.
The Supreme Court had ruled last week that he was still the prime minister.
Sir Michael said: “Their actions are indicative of what they will do if we the people of Papua New Guinea re-elect them to office.”
Sir Michael told the crowd that he would not be in the political frontline much longer but wanted to ensure that good leaders were in place after the election who respected authority and the law.
Sir Michael witnessed the nomination of Sir Arnold Amet for the Madang provincial seat and Gabriel Saul for the Madang Open seat last Monday.
They then proceeded to Bates Oval in the heart of Madang for a short rally.
Middle Ramu MP Ben Semri accompanied the two sitting MPs with Saul and Sumkar candidate Mark Kadum Martin.
After his nomination in Wewak on Wednesday afternoon, Sir Michael travelled to Maprik, Aitape and Yangoru for the nomination and promotion of his candidates John Simon, Patrick Pruaitch and Peter Wararu.
His main message at the rallies was that the NAP alliance government had over two terms laid the foundation for continued growth, stability and well-managed government finance.


Source:
The National, Monday 28th, 2012

FULL LISTING OF MILNE BAY CANDIDATES 2012 PNG ELECTIONS

Regional

2012 MBP REGIONAL CANDIDATES, 18 in total!! And they are: Titus PHILEMON (PPP), William Moyola EBENOSI, John Luke CRITTIN (PNC), Gelenisi Glen TAULISO (Pangu), Ian TUPAGOGO, John Pius WAGAMBIE, Noel Bakiki DAVID ((T.H.E), Robert IGARA((PNG Party), Radley EVARA, Toby AIWATI (Our Development Party), Stephen Paul NESAI(Melanesin Alliance), Mesia NOVAU (PNG Labor), Thomas MAGEI, Livingston David HESABODA, Thomas IVAN (PNG Labor), John KASAIPWLOVA (Ruraal Development), Joshua MATTHEW, Timothy P NEVILLE.

Alotau Open

2012 ALOTAU OPEN CANDIDATES, 32 in total, and they are:
Edward GODE, Henry BENOMA, Henry G RAUPURI, Jimmy M MALADINA, Lisia ILAIBENI (PNG Party), Douglas Emannuel PITONI, Betty Inapaieta DUNSTAN, Charles ABEL (PNC), Peter BOENA (URP), Timothy DADUWE, Simi Mailau IVE, Sylvester GWARIMAIA (PNGCDP), Iairo LASARO, Dominic WULIYELO, Roger M MOGAWA (NDT), Osine Iomei MARK, William TILIPU, Issace D TAITIBE, Robert TEPRA, Samuel W AUBOTI (People's Movement for Change), Harold D BADIREGA, Ilau BUA, Eric JACOB, Percy KANINIBA (PNG Labor), Allan Boleh BANIYAMAI, Ramsey ISIKI, Kelly M COOK, Andrew ARENADI, David NIPUEGA, Caroline ABANI, Solomon B YOWAIT and Harold TABUA.. — at Alotau, MBP

2012 SAMARAI/MURUA OPEN CANDIDATES, 22 in total, and they are:

Sir Kina BONA (PNG Party), Michael OVA (Our Development Party), Robert M GWAMUWE (Pangu), Ernest IMATANA, Beru MUKAISI, Titus TILLY (Mamapapa Ground Party), Monalisa S LENDIA, Mark LAVEAPE (T.H.E), Amos PHILIP, Isi Henry LEONARD (PPP), Davis GUMASI (PNG National Party), Gordon WESLEY (PNC), Issac Blaise PWATANA (T.H.E), Ps John NOLAI, Daniel Bala DUNCAN (T.H.E), Esori WADILEI (PNG Country Party), Hau'ofa SAILASA (PNG Constitutional Democratic Party), Wame KULI, Gregory UME (People's United Party), Joseph Ealedona (T.H.E), Gada Moabi NIUBU, Kevin Ndu SARTO (PNG Labor Party). — at Alotau, MBP

2012 ESA'ALA OPEN CANDIDATES, 25 in total, and they are:

Kido LAKESI, Mickey MASIAINA, Peter NIESI, Fisher DAKULALA, Augustine JONATHAN, ISAIAH TOBELEMU, Ps Helen Naidi WAISELO, Sheldon Deilala, Elliot Philemon TUBULOLOI, David Kym MITCHELL< Ephraim YABOM, Davis STEVEN, Justine Patrick PANJA, Philemon GEIDILO, Tony GILSON, Kenneth ELEKANA, Prof Misty BALOILOI, Moses MALADINA, Tom Dick FAME< Dr Eddie EDIMANI, Edward TAULOI, Wilfred LELECA, Patrick IWAIDINA, Escao WESLEY and Madiu Kulabutu ANDREW. — at Alotau, MBP

2012 KIRIWINA/GOODENOUGH CANDIDATES, 18 in total, and they are:

Jennifer Molia RUDD, George Durusi TOITOPOLA, Francis KAIGERUA, Tony DOUWA, Lesley NARARA, Ronnie KAITOLELE, Jack CAMERON, Benjamin Moulobida JACOB, Brian M PULAYASI, Douglas TOMURIESA, Philip M Payne, Leonard LOUMA, Samuel LUGUNA, Noel Macatan TOMIYAVAU, Robin WAYABU, Jospeh KAISO, Steven Filolu MISA and Movegai James KILILEU.

More women candidates join race

A RECORD 135 women are among the 3,435 candidates nominated to contest the 111 seats in next month’s general election.
Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen said a record number of candidates had been nominated by 4pm last Thursday.
“This is the highest number of
candidates who have been nominated to contest a national election since the first (post-independence) elections in 1977.
“In 2007, a total of 2,759 candidates were nominated while (there were) 2,970 in 2002,” he said.
Trawen said out of the 3,435, a
record number of women – 135 – were nominated, compared to 101 in 2007.
He said the southern region registered the highest number of women candidates of 56, followed by Mamose with 30, highlands 27 and New Guinea Islands 22.
Trawen said Enga was the only province which did not have any female candidate.
The highlands region registered the most nominations with 1,388 candidates followed by southern with 896, Mamose with 824 and New Guinea Islands with 328 candidates.
By provinces, Eastern Highlands has the highest number of candidates with 415 – 406 men and nine women, followed by Chimbu with 344 candidates – 334 men and 10 women.
He said soon after the nominations, the conduct of the candidates’ order of draw was carried out.
Some electorates have already done their “order of draws” or should have it done over the weekend.

Source:
The National, Monday 28th May, 2012
By JEFFREY ELAPA

2012 WALK AGAINST CORRUPTION IN PICTURES

CANDIDATE NUMBER 38 FOR MORESBY SOUTH ELECTORATE

CANDIDATE NUMBER 38 FOR MORESBY SOUTH ELECTORATE

JAMES SMITH LOKO

____________________________________________________

REASONS FOR CONTESTING THE ELECTIONS

There are very strong reasons that prompt me to contest the seat for the Moresby South Electorate.

1)    The people of the electorate need good strong leadership to represent them and fight for their basic rights.

2)    The majority of the people in the electorate originate from the Central and Gulf Province. My parents come from those two provinces. One of my grandparents (grandmother) is a motuan and provides me that link with the Motu Koitabu.

3)    While the macroeconomic picture shows a growth in the economy, the microeconomic scenario at least from the perspective of the people in the electorate shows;

·        high rate of unemployment,

·        high rate of illiteracy,

·        high cost of goods and services,

·        high level of youth involved in crime,

·        health and hygiene problems in many of the poorer areas of the electorate,

·        poor municipal and other public services,

·        low level of skills or no skills among youth,

·        loss of land through alienation or through ignorance,

·        poor and/or insufficient educational infrastructure to meet the increased level of school aged children.

4)    The retirement of the current Member of Parliament leaves the electorate open to candidates without the appropriate qualification, skills and experience.

5)    Support for me to contest the elections is beginning to grow as people learn about my qualification, skills, knowledge, experience and achievements.

6)    My principles and ethics prove that I am a man of integrity, honesty, fair and impartial, understanding, compassionate, humble, loyal and will help people particularly in relation to those who struggle to survive/sustain a living.

7)    I have that desire, integrity, commitment and drive to contest the elections and have the confidence to win.

8)    I can contribute to national development by advocating for a change to how policies are being implemented. National policies do not achieve the desired results at the grass roots level because the approach of the authorities does not seem to be workable or if it is, it does not reflect the desired outcomes expected by the Government.

This is because the priorities and needs of each province or locality is different considering the cultural, geographical and socioeconomic diversity of the country.

A point in case is the education policy in relation to school leavers. While fee free education and universal education to grade 12 is available, there is the question of what happens to school leavers and the growing number of school aged children and youth leaving the education system because of insufficient education infrastructure and teacher resources?

What is happening for those school leavers in the past who were ousted by the current education policy and have no basic skills and have no opportunity for employment? Using the current system, vocational training should be used to provide technical training for many of those school leavers to obtain skills in electrical, carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying, auto electrical/auto mechanical, hospitality, fishnet mending, outboard motor mechanical training etc, etc. Currently, for vocational enrolments, to be eligible one must be a grade 8 or 10 school leaver.  This should be opened up to allow those who dropped out in the lower grades.

The outcome of this change or addition to the policy will result in a growing number of people with technical skills, who are able to get employed and more importantly contribute in developing their country economically and socially.

______________________________________________________________________________

VISION

My VISION for the electorate is

THE WELFARE OF THE LESS FORTUNATE ARE IMPROVED AND THAT THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENCOMPASSES ALL IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER.

MISSION

To achieve this end, my MISSION is to get at least

80% OF THE VOTING POPULATION IN THE ELECTORATE.

My success will be based on the following grounds:

1)    EMPOWERMENT: Empower people to be self reliant and self sustaining.

2)    PROACTIVENESS: Encourage National and State authorities to be proactive rather than reactive in service delivery and avoid focus on revenue generation.

3)    ENVIRONMENT FOR CHANGE: Promote an environment for reform of National policies or adopt new approaches to implement national policies at the micro level.

4)    LAND SECURITY: Develop an environment of security for local landowners on issues relating to land.

VALUES

My will and commitment is driven by a set of VALUES that are based on:

1)    COMPASSION: Empathy for the struggle and hardship of the vast majority of the population living in the suburbs and settlements of the electorate.

2)    FAIRNESS: Every man woman and child has basic equal rights to all social, political and economic benefits and opportunities.

3)    WILL AND COMMITMENT: I have the will, commitment and drive to ensure that the people in the electorate develop and the social and economic welfare of the people have and continue to improve.

4)    STRATEGIC: The issues I pursue are being experienced in other parts of the country and will garner support of other Parliamentary representatives should I succeed in securing the seat.

5)    LONG TERM APPROACH: Policy reforms and a new approach will change the stance of Government of the day to become proactive rather than be reactive to circumstances as they arise.

6)    PRAGMATISM: Every problem has a solution. The National and State authorities seem to look at it in a different light based on their arguments on scarce resources or differing priorities.

7)    LOYALTY: My resume shows that I remained in the same employ for a considerable length of time and indicates my loyalty and dedication.

8)    UNITY: A vast majority of the voter population are from the Gulf and Central province which I am a part of and this will be of great advantage to me.

Personal information

Personal
Name			James Smith Loko
Marital Status			Widowed Parent
Province of Origin			Gulf/Central
District of Origin			Malalaua/rigo
Mobile phone
BMobile			(675) 7645499
Citiphone			(675) 6536634
Digicel			(675) 72865324
Educational Information
Institute			Year
University of papua new guinea			1978	bachelors degree in economics
Commonwealth association of tax administrators			1983	certificate in tax administration
national research institute			1991	diploma in economic policy analysis
revenue canada			1993	certificate for advanced tax administration
Professional Information
Year	Organisation	Responsibility
2007	Project Development & Planning (PDP) Australia	Deputy Project Leader – Conducted a study of the Unit Cost of Education of elementary, lower & upper primary, lower & upper secondary and vocational training in papua new guinea to determine how much it would cost to educate a child satisfactorily in each level of education as opposed to the current cost of education schools were experiencing and make recommendations on how much it would cost the png government the projected cost of education over 20 years in terms of infrastructure, human and financial costs.
2004	nefc	Tax Revenue Consultant – Undertook a study of the revenue system of national, provincial & local level governments and made recommendations to amend the organic law on provincial and local level governments to allow those provincial & local level governments flexibility in generating their internal revenues.
2006	nefc
2000	Department of treasury	Deputy Team Leader – Undertook a study of the direct and indirect tax system of the national government & recommended a number of changes that would reform the system of tax in png to make it fair, simple, equitable and easy to understand.
1995 – 1999	IRC	Commissioner General – Had executive control of both tax & customs operations. undertook to advice the national government on all matters relating to tax policy and legislation. was instrumental in introducing tax and tariff and excise reforms in the late 1990’s. presented the government’s position on tax matters including amendments of tax legislation to the annual mining and petroleum conferences. involved in budget planning relating to revenue collections and projections and expenditure estimates of the irc on an annual basis.
	ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION	Active member of the committee of customs procedures and succeeded in securing technical training for customs officials in other asia/pacific customs administrations and also implemented most of the objectives of APEC in respect to customs procedures and administration.
	COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF TAX ADMINISTRATORS	was an active member of the management committee that oversaw the operations of the association in setting the goals and issues of the commonwealth member countries in developing and enhancing the operations of those member countries. also secured technical assistance for human resource development.
1997	DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & PLANNING	Acting secretary – acted in the post of Secretary for six months until an appointment was made and resumed duties as the commissioner general.
1992 – 1995	IRC	Commissioner (Tax Operations) - Had executive management control of Taxation Operations in monitoring, controlling, planning and budgeting the operations of direct taxation.
1991 – 1992	IRC	Assistant Commissioner – Mining & Petroleum Taxation. Was responsible for administering tax compliance and administration of all mining and petroleum companies in PNG.
1978-1991	irc	performed duties in various legal, technical and managerial capacities in all aspects of tax administration relating to the different types of national taxes.