Papua New Guinea's prime minister has demanded that the Electoral Commissioner come out of hiding and take control of the chaotic national elections.
The Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta says repeated attempts to contact the Commissioner, Reuben Kaiulo, had been unsuccessful as calls grow for fresh voting in Southern Highlands province.
The death toll in the poll, which began on June 15th, has grown to at least 23, including four people shot and hacked to death in clashes between rival Highlands tribes on Wednesday.
Scores of ballot boxes containing tens of thousands of votes have also been stolen and destroyed.
The Reuters agency reports the Prime Minister saying Mr Kaiulo has failed to attend important meetings for several weeks and had not responded to calls from the government, the National Security Council and police.
He says the Commissioner should resign if he is no longer able to fulfil his duties.
