The National - Tuesday, September 20th 2011
GOOD leaders do not come easily and we need to be careful whom we elect in the general election next year.
As voters, our biggest challenge is to identify the most capable person to represent us in parliament.
Our votes are very important because it will determine the next government and opposition to take our nation forward.
That is why our vote is of great importance and value.
The candidate we mark at the polling booth is the choice we make for ourselves, our family, the future generation and PNG.
Our biggest challenge is to make that choice.
What are our weaknesses?
We allow candidates to buy our votes with money, beer, lamp flaps, pigs, cows, dogs, goats, guns, etc.
We are forced to vote along clan and tribal allegiance when we know that our wantoks do not have the qua­lities of national leadership.
We become cowards as we are afraid to stand up for what is right.
We must not allow others to dictate us, follow the group and harass the weak and poor.
Looking back, we made stupid and foolish decisions in past elections.
As a result, there is little deve­lopment in our electorates and pro­vinces while our members continue to enrich themselves and built their empires at our expense with no regard to improve our general well-being.
In a few months, we will elect new members of parliament.
I call on Papua New Guineans to think carefully on whom they want to vote into parliament.
We must not allow ourselves to be bought but let potential candidates  earn the right to be in parliament.
Listen to the candidates’ speeches, discuss among family members and friends, and look at the candidates’ educational qualifications and professional background, marital background, religious background, standing in the community, leadership qualities, etc, before casting our vote.
Papua New Guineans must stand against the use of fear tactics by candidates and their supporters.
All of us have a duty to proactively inform our families, wantoks and friends that choosing good leaders starts with us.
Stand up against bad election tactics like use of guns and bribery.
Protect what is right to select good leaders that can take this nation forward.


Samson Sigl Wena
Kerowagi