Ambane: Maintain peace in h’lands

By YVONNE HAIP
WESTERN Highlands’ provincial police commander Kaiglo Ambane has appealed to candidates to control their supporters when declarations are made.
Supt Ambane said disruptions caused at declarations would be against the law and would only spoil the peace in the province.
He said the election took place once in five years and instigating fights and arguments during declarations would only affect the smooth flow of services.
“Let us maintain the peace. We don’t want to spoil our province with fighting,” he said.
Ambane challenged candidates to respect the elections results because “there is always one winner and not all will win”.
He said there would be rumours of bribery and other issues among counting officials and they would stain the peaceful election in the province.
He called on candidates and supporters not to take the law into their hands and to exercise “restraint and control”.
Polling was peaceful in the province despite minor hiccups, while counting is progressing without major incidences.
The Hagen open seat has been declared but is being disputed by candidates who want disputed ballot boxes counted.
Other declarations are expected soon as the regional seat is conducting quality checks.
Dei and Mul-Baiyer are in the elimination process.
Tambul-Nebilyer has completed its quality checks and could have begun the eliminations yesterday but counting for the electorate was suspended.
People in the highlands have proved that the “high risk” area is capable of conducting peaceful elections.
Although there were disputes and arguments, they did not escalate into major tribal war fare like in the past. Security forces and election officials have praised the people for that.