PPC Joseph Tabali

ENB provincial police commander, Joseph Tabali, said the fight, which started on Saturday, May 26^th, ended yesterday (May 28^th). It stemmed from frustrations by villagers who were subject to continuous harassment by youths from the neighbouring village of Nodup.

“Yesterday morning (May 28) an adult male from Malakuna number 4 was seriously wounded,” said Tabali.

“We were looking for (Nodup) suspects when he was attacked from behind.

“He was rushed to the Vunapope General Hospital but died because of loss of blood.”

Provincial police commander, Joseph Tabali, told Loop PNG that the local was caught bribing residents to vote for his candidate.

“The culprit was escorted to the mainland Kokopo Police Station on Sunday with ballot boxes,” says the PPC.

“This was a first-of-its-kind incident for the province.”

Apart from the arrest, no major happenings have been reported.

Meanwhile, Tabali says polling ended on Saturday (July 1) for the Gazelle and Rabaul electorates, while Kokopo and Pomio on Monday.

On Tuesday, June 27, a 40-year-old man from Marmar village died from wounds sustained during an election-related clash.

Provincial police commander (PPC), Joseph Tabali, told Loop PNG that the fight started on June 22, a day before the campaign period was to end.

“After campaigning, the deceased, Beringson Paul, and his team convoyed back to Marmar village, sometime between 8 and 9pm,” says Tabali.

“There they started preparing rations for the final day of campaigning, June 23.”

This is because in the 2012 elections, people in Pomio, especially in the Mamusi Rural LLG, refused to cast votes and threatened polling officials, says provincial police commander, Joseph Tabali.

And the reason for that?

“They said there were no government services in the area,” Tabali told Loop PNG.

“That’s why I am allocating four security personnel to one polling team for Mamusi. Other areas will only have two or three security escorts.”

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato told Loop PNG today that police are still checking the materials confiscated.  

ENB Provincial Election Manager, Joap Voivoi, told Loop PNG that police investigation is still ongoing and the election materials confiscated are yet to be confirmed.

National Alliance Party General Secretary, Joyce Grant, said the report on social media of the party supporters detained with ballot papers was untrue.

“We do not print ballot papers,” Grant said.

Provincial Police Commander, Joseph Tabali, told Loop PNG that there has not been any disruption of any sort in regards to the elections.

“We have not had any major incidents relating to the elections and I believe we won’t be having any leading up to the polling and the declaration of seats,” Tabali said.

He adds that the campaign period has been slow with not so much activities by candidates and supporters as expected.