As part of the preparations for the 2019 National General Elections (NGE), the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Assistant Commissioner, Provincial, Joseph Manelugu is in Auki today (13 November 2018) to explain the responsibilities of the police during the Election to the officers there.
AC Manelugu says, “The purpose of this meeting with you officers is to explain the responsibilities of the police during the election next year as well as discuss how to conduct awareness with communities on the upcoming Christmas Festive season to prevent any unexpected disturbances that might occur.”
“So one of the issues we need to discuss is the Kwaso Action Plan and its roll out as part of the Crime Prevention Strategy. We need your support and team work to implement this Plan in an approach that suits Malaita Province,” AC Manelugu emphasises.
He says, “I would like to thank the Solomon Island Police Support Program (SIPSP) for its great support for the implementation of the Crime Prevention Strategy with a focus on kwaso as one of the issues that is really affecting the youth in our communities.”
Responsibilities of the RSIPF during the NGE 2019;
• RSIPF is the lead law enforcement agency in providing a safe and secure environment to enable a ‘free and fair’ NGE in 2019
• RSIPF will implement a proactive approach in terms of intelligence led policing to maintain law and order, crime reduction and conflict resolution initiatives.
• RSIPF has developed and will implement robust security arrangements for the 2019 NGE.
• RSIPF will support electoral officials and will respond appropriately to any breaches of electoral laws, reports of voter intimidation and threats to ballot security.
• Communities and people are responsible for making sure the 2019 NGE is conducted in a safe and peaceful manner. The public are reminded to report anti-social behaviour and criminal activities to Police and help police to ensure the safety of the Solomon Islands community.
• RSIPF is a neutral organisation and will not support or seen to support any political party or individual candidate contesting the NGE.
• Members of the public are urged to report any incidences where individual police officers deemed to be supporting any particular political party or individual candidate.