3 Apr 2003

PNG march for peace ahead of Southern Highlands election

4:01 pm on 3 April 2003

An estimated 3-thousand people have marched through the capital of the Papua New Guinea province of southern highlands appealing for peace during elections due to be held at the end of this month.

The march was organised by the Combined Churches Council of Southern Highlands and led from the airport in Mendi to the town's police station.

The National newspaper says the crowd was addressed by bishops and other church leaders.

A police inspector, Benson Osil, has urged the people to co-operate with the security forces.

Police have been joined by military forces in a bid to provide security for the supplementary election.

Voting in six of the provinces nine electorates was abandoned during last year's general election because of violence and fraud.