Burning of ballot boxes triggers fight

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Burning of ballot boxes triggers fight

PORT MORESBY: General Election 2022 ballot boxes were yesterday removed from containers near a police station and burnt, triggering a fight between supporters of Southern Highlands Provincial seat in Mendi.

Commander Chief Supt Daniel Yangen said a group of people marched into the police station at 3am, held up members of the security forces, and removed 120 “disputed” ballot boxes, nine boxes which needed clearance and 70 others.

“The security forces (policemen and soldiers) could not do anything. If they had tried to do something, it would have resulted in casualties on both sides,” he said.

The news break was reported by The National:

Burning of ballot boxes triggers fight

August 19, 2022The NationalMain Stories

A burnt ballot paper. – Pictures supplied

By PETER WARI
BALLOT boxes were yesterday removed from containers near a police station and burnt, triggering a fight between supporters of regional seat candidates in Mendi, Southern Highlands, police say.
Acting provincial police commander Chief Superintendent Daniel Yangen said a group of people marched into the police station at 3am, held up members of the security forces, and removed 120 “disputed” ballot boxes, nine boxes which needed clearance and 70 others.
“The security forces (policemen and soldiers) could not do anything. If they had tried to do something, it would have resulted in casualties on both sides,” he said.
“Since the counting started, candidates brought in their supporters, erected makeshift tents and fed them. Now the aftermath is chaos.
“It’s a sad day for the people for Southern Highlands (that) people can just walk into the police station without respecting police, point guns at them and walk away with state properties.”
It resulted in a fight yesterday morning between supporters of regional seat candidates William Powi, Peter Nupiri and Benard Kaku.
Police could not confirm reports that some people died.
The BSP Bank and business houses in Mendi were closed yesterday.
Chief Supt Yangen said public servants and students stayed home yesterday because of the violence.
He said the fight erupted at Yaken village in the Lower Mendi local level government, Imbonggu, and continued into Mendi town.
“After the ballot boxes were destroyed, we waited for the Electoral Commission team to come and clear the boxes. But a gun battle ensued and everything was in chaos,” he said.
He said people carrying guns held up members of the security forces and destroyed ballot boxes around 3am.
“Their action – break-and-enter and destruction of state properties – is criminal in nature.
“They did not respect police.
“It’s an act of terrorism,” he said.

PM wants ‘constitutional terrorists’ arrested

August 19, 2022The NationalNational

PRIME Minister James Marape wants police to go to Southern Highlands and arrest those involved in the burning of ballot boxes in Mendi yesterday.
He described those involved as “constitutional terrorists” who should be hunted down and face the “full force of the law”.
“I condemn the burning of ballot boxes at the Mendi police station early this (yesterday) morning,” Marape said.
“Those responsible are not (just) arsonists but also constitutional terrorists who entered a police station and burned ballot boxes containing the votes of the people.
“It is State property and such an act is (tantamount to) terrorism.
“(Such) people cannot continue to take the law into their own hands forever.”
Marape said a Government priority in the next five years was to address the law and order situation.
“(We) will strengthen our police and justice system,” he said.
“A secure and safe PNG in towns and villages will ensure the growth of our economy, growth of health and education infrastructure.”
The priority “hotspot” targets are Southern Highlands, Hela and Enga.
Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill said it was with great sadness “that I witness the violence and mayhem in my provincial capital of Mendi”.
He claimed that counting had been “heavily compromised” in Mendi, with “heavy Government interference designed to favour candidate William Powi and disadvantage others”.
“This election has been a government-made shambles everywhere and democracy has been hijacked to make way for an autocratic style of leadership,” he said.
“In Mendi, we are seeing the people rise and take matters into their own hands as neither the police nor the defence force have protected their democratic rights.
“I do not condone the violence in Mendi but I can certainly understand why it is happening.
“People are fed up with the way democracy has been cast aside by a power hungry few, (who are) hell-bent on seeking control at the expense of the people.”

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