9 Jul 2007

PNG polling over in three highlands provinces

3:14 pm on 9 July 2007

Polling for the General Election has been completed in three of the five Papua New Guinea Highlands provinces.

The Post Courier reports that despite pre-election fears for election-related crime in Southern Highlands, no major incidents were reported there.

However, in Western Highlands and Enga, dozens of people have been wounded in polling violence.

Enga Police have reported at least two people were killed during polling - one in Kandep and the other in Kompiam.

Meanwhile, 45 people were arrested in the National Capital District for polling violations.

In Bougainville, polling was suspended in Kieta as dissidents grabbed ballot boxes but released them in exchange for money.

In Lae, counting was suspended on Friday as candidates alleged foul-play in the count.