Election markets…

We live just around he corner from the National Sports Institute (NSI), this is the location where vote counting is taking place for the whole of the Eastern Highlands Province (EHP). It has been a hub of activity since ever since the ballot boxes were delivered from polling places across the province. That was just under two weeks ago. It took one week for all the ballot boxes to come back to NSI and counting has been going on now for six days.

Compared to Australia where we find out literally on the same day which party or which candidate is going to win – in PNG things work slightly slower.

The whole area around NSI has been abuzz and supporters from the entire province have converged on Goroka and specifically NSI to keep an “eye” on things. They all keep an eye on each if you like. When it comes to PNG politics – there is certainly very little trust – especially between supporters from opposing camps.

The other phenomenon to emerge around the vicinity of NSI and also our street are the markets. There's a whole array of street stalls and markets that have appeared overnight, in fact many supporters hang around the NSI gates – day and night. From buai and smokes, to sausages and coffee, from lamb flaps and flour balls, to lollies and pig. It's all there. Fast food a la PNG style.

The other day I was wandering around te NSI gates and I captured a few of these stalls…