7 dead in Hela

By REBECCA KUKU in Margarima
PAPUA New Guinea General Election 2022 (GE22)-related violence and deaths continue to rise with seven people killed in a clash between supporters of rival candidates in Hela last week.
A polling centre was burnt down together with several houses in Margarima.
And in Enga, commander Superintendent George Kakas said a district administrator was shot dead, policemen were attacked and new vehicles were burnt in the past two days.
PNG’s GE22-related death toll as reported by the media is now 38 (See listing on link:https://www.thenational.com.pg/ballot-boxes-hijacked-official-shot-dead%e2%80%86police/ ).
Hela commander Chief Inspector Robin Bore said the fight started last Monday between Komo-Margarima MP Manasseh Makiba’s (Pangu Pati) supporters and Independent Dr Benson Wakinda’s supporters at the Yambraka polling centre.

“Two people were killed on Monday, and one died on Tuesday. So far, three people are confirmed dead. Apart from that, I am yet to receive an update,” he added.
But according to locals, four more people have been killed.
Locals from Makiba village told The National in Margarima on Saturday that two more people were killed on Wednesday and another two on Friday.
“So far seven of our people have been killed, our homes have been burnt down and our women and children are scattered everywhere. We do not know where they are,” one of them said.
“But we will defend our home and our seat.”
Wakinda’s supporters said they were only defending themselves and protecting their family and homes.
“They shot and wounded one of our sons on Monday for no good reason. That was why we retaliated.”
Both sides of the political divide have called for the ballot boxes from Yambraka to be disputed and set aside before peace could be reached.
But Provincial Elections Manager John Tipa said he was waiting for a full report from his Returning Officer from Margarima before he could consider disputing the boxes from Yambraka. Counting for Margarima is scheduled to start today (Monday).
The seat, one of five in Hela, is being contested by 19 people. Polling in Hela’s one-day polling was completed last Monday at 275 polling centres.
Hela has 14 local level governments.