11 Dec 2003

PNG electoral commission calls early end to polling in Abau by-electio

10:38 am on 11 December 2003

Papua New Guinea's Electoral Commission says voting in the Abau by-election will end tonight - two days earlier than scheduled.

Acting Electoral commissioner, Andrew Trawen, says the voting has gone well with police and election officials acting quickly to deal with any problems.

There were some problems at Wanigela village when election officials stopped double voting, under age voting and attempts to vote by people not on the common roll of registered voters.

Nine and ten year olds had tried to vote using the names of voters who had died.

Counting of the votes will start next week under tight police security.