Tightened Security Helps Curb PNG Poll Violence
(Sydney Morning Herald)
Security crackdowns by Papua New Guinea police and soldiers in Mt Hagen has curbed violent incidents during polling for national elections, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
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This follows the seizure by police of illegal high-powered firearms, 20 arrests and attempts to hijack ballot boxes.
All vehicles entering Hagen this weekend have been stopped and searched for weapons.
Police Deputy Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki says criminal elements aligned to some candidates tried to snatch ballot boxes but increased security measures deterred what would have been "a violent and fraudulent election process".
Last week in the Highlands province of Enga, a policeman was arrested and put in custody after allegedly shooting dead the son of a former MP during an election-related clash at Kandep in the electorate of Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye.
Meanwhile it has emerged that in Enga on Tuesday, police chased Wapanamenda MP Miki Kaeok by helicopter and questioned him after he and his supporters allegedly tried to take ballot boxes from a treasury building.
Polling in PNG continues until Tuesday. Counting is already underway in some electorates.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Tough-crackdown-curbs-PNG-poll-violence/2007/07/08/1183833334606.html
