The Papua New Guinea Governor General, Sir Silas Atopare, has appealed to last years Southern Highlands election workers not to mar the fresh elections which start this afternoon.
Sir Silas says threats, bullying and violence must not be used by disgruntled workers.
Election workers from last year are angry because many of them have not yet been paid in full for their work last year.
They demonstrated in the province's capital, Mendi, earlier this week saying they must be paid or the new elections called off.
Sir Silas has appealed to what he called "good Southern Highlanders" to ensure that this year's election does not fail.
