Usino-Bundi candidates urged to run clean campaigns

Candidates contesting the Usino-Bundi by-election have been urged to conduct clean and respectful campaigns without resorting to personal attacks or smear tactics.

The appeal was made by veteran politician and former Madang Governor Peter Yama while campaigning in the district on Sunday.

“Every candidate who has nominated has a constitutional right to contest the Usino-Bundi by-election, and that right must be respected,” Yama said.

“No one has the right to tarnish another’s name. We all have our own reasons for contesting, and that must be respected by both candidates and their supporters.”

Yama, founder of the People’s Labour Party, stressed the importance of integrity in the campaign process, urging all contenders to focus on facts and avoid spreading misinformation.

“The people deserve to know the truth not fabricated lies,” he said.

Campaign activity in the district has been relatively low-key in the weeks following the close of nominations. However, the tempo has picked up in recent days with several senior government ministers visiting the electorate to support their respective party candidates.

Prime Minister James Marape was recently in Walium, the district headquarters, to launch campaign posters for PANGU Party candidate Pewa Aimai, who also serves as the Deputy Governor for Madang.

Mining Minister Renbo Paita visited Yandera to rally support for OUR Party’s Nicholas Komati, while Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso traveled to Snopas, Yama’s home village, to back Vincent Kumura, another candidate aligned with PANGU.

People First Party leader Richard Maru also visited Walium to launch posters for his party's candidate, Donald Uguro.

Donald is the elder son of the late Jimmy Uguro, whose death early last year triggered the current by-election.