Global shame

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Rubbish and the remains of makeshift tents outside the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.

By REBECCA KUKU
PAPUA New Guinea was shamed internationally yesterday when General Election 2022 (GE22) candidates’ supporters turned the streets in the federal capital Port Moresby into a battlefield.
Innocent people ran helter-skelter as political supporters wielding bush knives started chasing and slashing people indiscriminately on the streets in front of City Hall (the National Capital District Commission building) at about 2.30pm.

Police personnel monitoring the gate outside the Sir John Guise indoor complex in Port Moresby yesterday. – Nationalpics by REBECCA KUKU

People were seen running into the compound of the nearby Vision City Mega Mall for refuge as the assailants went about slashing their victims who collapsed on the spot.
The uncivilised electoral violence started at the nearby Sir John Guise Stadium where counting of GE22 ballots were in progress for the Moresby North-East electorate.
Police said the knife-wielding offenders were supporters of two candidates and at least two were wounded.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Wagambie Jnr, who is in-charge of the NCD/Central command, said the victims were taken to hospital for treatment and the police investigation team were in contact with them and statements would be collected.
It is understood that the supporters of the candidates fought over claims of “foul play” inside the venue where counting for the electorate was taking place and spilled out into the main road, as men slashed each other.

The makeshift tents set up outside the stadium by supporters of North East candidates were removed by the security forces yesterday.

According to a video of the incident, a group of men were seen being chased by another group of men armed with bush knives at the foot bridge along Waigani Drive.
A group of men were seen slashing two men on the roadside at the intersection between the National Capital District (NCD) City Hall and the stadium.
This reporter from The National was at the scene after the running battle and saw police, PNG Defence Force and Correctional Service officers attending to the incident.
Security personnel blocked off all exits to find the perpetrators who had fled when the security forces arrived.
Attempts made to get comment from the NCD election manager and returning officer of the electorate were futile.
Wagambie said security personnel had responded immediately when notified.
He said a cluster of makeshift tents set up outside the stadium were removed by the security forces.

Police providing security outside the Sir John Guise Stadium following a fight between political supporters in Port Moresby yesterday. – Nationalpics by NICKY BERNARD

“In the process of doing so, knives, clubs and other weapons were found and confiscated,” he said.
“The altercation and violence had put lives of the innocent public in danger.
“We must understand that while the election process is taking place, people must be free to move about their normal activities without the fear of violence.
“After police dispersed the people, a suspicious vehicle was stopped and searched in which a bundle of bush knives was found.
The vehicle was taken to the Waigani Police Station and nine male occupants were detained.
They will be arrested and charged.”
Wagambie said people camping outside the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (Moresby North-West counting) premises and the Rita Flynn Sports Complex (Moresby South and NCD regional counting) were ordered to leave as a security measure against violence.
Public safety is our paramount interest.” NCD city manager Ravu Frank described the fight as disturbing.
Frank commended the swift intervention of the security personnel, who prevented the trouble escalating and perhaps worse consequences.