Source: Post Courier, Wednesday 29th February

THE Papua New Guinea 2012 General Elections will proceed as planned. 

Already 75 percent of the Electoral Roll is complete – the remaining 25 percent should be completed in two months.

PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen announced this yesterday yesterday adding “the Election 2012 will proceed as required by the National Constitution” and that the preparations were on schedule.

Ousted Papua New Guinea prime minister Sir Michael Somare has defended ordering a failed military mutiny, again insisting Friday he was the country’s legitimate leader, reports AFP.

Political tensions flared on Thursday when an ex-soldier loyal to Somare staged a dramatic grab to re-take power from current premier Peter O’Neill.

Former colonel Yaura Sasa led a pre-dawn mutiny, taking captive the head of the armed forces, Francis Agwi, and declaring himself the new military leader, reinforcing the country’s reputation as politically dysfunctional.

In 1974, a group of visionary Papua New Guineans began writing the constitution - a document that would later become the corner stone of a young nation. Their wisdom and vision is conveyed in five goals set out in the preamble in the National Goals and Directive Principles.

In this short video, produced by Scott Waide, young Papua New Guinean's explain those Goals and Directive Principles and reflect on how successive governments have failed to follow the path set out in the Constitution.

It has been a very interesting month with some highly contoversial changes on the politcal scene and some seemingly positive developments on ACT NOW! campaign issues.

While these developments have given some reason for optimism and celebration, many have mixed feelings and good reason for doubts remain.