Southern Highlands Province

Returning Officer Michael Ariando told Loop PNG that time is against them and will see how it goes in the afternoon.

However, security personnel manning the ballot boxes at Ialibu station will not allow polling to proceed for safety reasons.

Ariando said quality checks of the ballot papers took up their time.

As of 2pm today, the polling officials are still doing checks on the ballot papers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is still at his village, Kauwo Walea, to cast his vote.

More update on TVWAN News tonight.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is in the district to cast his vote.

The polling was scheduled for Friday but was deferred because of late ballot boxes.

It is also understood that candidates have also presented a petition to the Returning Officer and Election Manager on Friday to defer the polls.

More update to come....

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Sibron Papoto says over 1000 security personnel will be on ground, while 743 police officers will be involved in providing security to polling officials with election materials.  

Police personnel in Hela and Simbu were scheduled to make their way yesterday to Mendi, following the completion of polling in most of these areas. 

The clash took place at Mahuru Village between the villagers and settlers from Sabama, which resulted in the death of a man from the Kepiki tribe in Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province.

Elder Thomas Warua, a relative of the deceased, said with the peace mediation process underway, both parties must refrain from causing any more trouble as police investigation over the death continues. 

Warua assured the people of Mahuru that they are not the type to retaliate as Southern Highlanders are peaceful people.

The deceased, Isaiah Kewa, from Kepiki tribe in Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province, was killed in Mahuru Village and pronounced dead early the next day, shortly after being rushed to the Port Moresby General Hospital.

A peace mediation meeting was held on Monday, June 26, at the Boroko Police Station between the Mahuru villagers, the Kaure community of Sabama and the relatives of late Kewa, facilitated by NCD Peace Mediation team.

A three point petition was presented by the tribesmen to the Mahuru people at the meeting.

Kagua Erave is known for its notoriety and when the provincial government set out its priorities, it prioritised law and order for this district.

The barracks, built at a cost of 10 million kina was opened on Wednesday.

And that’s not all, a K2 million district office complex was also opened. This building was also funded by the provincial government.

A total of K20.5 million will have been invested in this district by the provincial government by the end of this parliament term.

23-year-old Pangia man, Joshua Yawijah, from Southern Highlands Province, and 46-year-old Dennis Aviupa, from Huon Gulf, Morobe, appeared from police custody at the Bomana courthouse this week.

They briefly appeared on Wednesday before Magistrate Mekeo Gauli, where their charges were read and explained to them in court before their cases were adjourned to next month.

They were arrested and charged by Police Internal Affairs Directorate on January 4 this year following investigations into their conduct after a complaint was lodged by the victim.

The university is currently under construction at Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province, on 75 hectares of land which is now being cleared before infrastructure can be built.

WPU project chairperson Fr Jan Czuba confirmed that they have negotiated with the landowners to acquire the 75 hectares of land.

2016 to 2018 will see the construction of students’ dormitories, library, students’ dining facilities, lecture buildings, teaching workshops, recreation facilities, administration building, WPU clinic, staff accommodation and staff recreation facilities.

Hela Governor, Francis Potape, and Southern Highlands Governor, William Powi, said this on TVWAN’s ‘Nau’ Program last night.

Both Governors said as the duly elected leaders of their respective provinces, they could sign on behalf of the unidentified leaders given the looming deadline on December 31.

They said they will hold the unidentified landowners portion of the 4.27 per cent interest in a trust until the Government completes the vetting process.