By Theckla Gunga of Inside PNG
Papua New Guineans, your future is in your hands, vote wisely.
As the campaign trail wound up its last hours at the weekend, voters were being urged to keep their future in mind when choosing and voting this election starting tomorrow.
Alvin Gia Huk, an independent candidate, and runner up in the 2017 National General Elections for the Mendi-Munihu Open seat in Southern Highlands Province is encouraging voters to not repeat the mistakes made in the past when electing people who didn’t have their interest at heart.
He said voters needed to make wiser decisions for long term benefits for their children, the district and the province as a whole.
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“Don’t follow money and materials today and spend the next five years being neglected of your basic right to services. You have the power to change your course in the next week, to receive what is rightfully yours and have a better quality of life,” he said.
Among other policies, he said a change in voters’ attitudes was what he had been promoting and encouraging throughout the campaign period.
“I have been educating voters since last elections to not vote with a cargo cult mentality or based on family lines, tribal ties and vote for quality”.
He admits it has been a challenge breaking the cargo cult mentality but he sees some progress from the previous elections.
Voters have become more educated and aware of what they deserve and what qualities they want in their leaders.
Video: Stefan Armbruster reporting for SBS News
The PNG elections run from July 4 to 22.
Asia Pacific Report’s coverage of the PNG general election is being boosted by partnerships with media groups such as the independent Inside PNG, The National, PNG Post-Courier and RNZ Pacific.
