1 dead in clash

By ZACHERY PER
A MAN is dead and others injured following a fight between supporters of two Chimbu regional candidates in Kundiawa on Wednesday, police say.
Provincial police commander Superintendent David Warap confirmed that the man, identified as a supporter of former Governor Noah Kool, from Boromil village in Gumine district, died instantly after he was shot.
It takes to 57 the number of General Election 2022-related deaths.
Police said there was a confrontation between supporters of former governors Kool and Michael Dua who were both contesting the seat they once held.
The incident happened in front of the Dickson Oval counting centre.
Supt Warap said they believed that one of Dua’s supporters who had a gun allegedly shot the man.
Others nearby sustained pellet wounds and were treated at the Sir Joseph Nombri Kundiawa General Hospital.
“The injured were treated and released as they could not be admitted because of the tense situation in Kundiawa after the incident,” he said.
Supt Warap said police were looking for the suspect who fled with his group after the incident.
Chimbu Provincial Elections Manager Reverend Tom Sine described the incident which slowed down counting as “unfortunate”.
He said eliminations would start after they completed the quality checks.
He planned to seek a further extension from Electoral Commission Simon Sinai to Monday (Aug 15) if necessary.
“We have completed counting for the six districts in Chimbu and made declarations.
“The only one left is the regional seat,” he said.
It is one of the few seats still in the counting stage.
On Tuesday, Government House handed over 105 writs to Parliament before its first sitting.
The North Bougainville seat won by the late William Naki is likely to be declared vacant by Speaker Job Pomat during the next sitting on Aug 30. The 12 writs yet to be submitted to Government House are for Eastern Highlands Provincial, Chimbu Provincial, Kerowagi Open, Southern Highlands Provincial, Lagaiap Open, National Capital District Regional, Moresby North East Open, Moresby North West Open, Kabwum Open, Markham Open, Rai Coast Open, and Madang Provincial.