15 Jul 2002

Door left open for possible new elections in PNG Highlands

6:10 pm on 15 July 2002

The Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner has left the door open for possible new elections in the Highlands provinces.

Reuben Kauilo, at the weekend, turned down demands for fresh elections to be held immediately in Southern Highlands. .

That request had come from the ex-Governor Anderson Agiru, while election officials have made a similar call.

The Southern Province election manager Alwynn Jimmy says instead of his officials conducting elections, candidates and their supporters have intimidated, and threatened and whole election process has been hijacked.

Mr Kauilo says there could be no fresh elections unless there is law and peace.

He says voters, election workers, and the general public are not being protected by police and are being hurt and killed.

Mr Kauilo also says he has not received a written request from his returning officers asking for a fresh election.