Celebrate responsibly, supporters of candidates told

POLICE have warned supporters of winning candidates in the Autonomous Bougainville Government elections to celebrate responsibly.
It follows an incident on Saturday where a vehicle belonging to man returning from a victory celebration rammed into a house at Lonahan village.
Police Commander Deputy Commissioner Francis Tokura urged everyone to celebrate with care.
“The winners and their supporters must not overdo their celebrations as it may instigate tension,” he said.
“This election is crucial and declared winners have a big task ahead to negotiate for independence from the PNG Government. They are not elected to play around.
“I’m also appealing to losing candidates not to cause tension among the people.
“If you have any concern about the conduct of the elections, please take it to the courts of disputed returns after the returns of writs on Thursday.”
Tokura also said fighting broke out among people at Akus village in the Halia constituency in North Bougainville on Saturday over a stolen pig and chicken.
“A villager allegedly stole a chicken and a pig so the owner mobilised his relatives and attacked the suspect.
“Police were deployed to quell the fighting. The incident is not related to the election.”