Properties damaged by supporters after LLG election

SIALUM Station in Tewai-Siassi, Morobe, had its council chamber and other public properties damaged last weekend after supporters of a losing candidate of the local level government election went on a rampage.
Morobe provincial police commander Supt Alex N’Drasal said no one was injured but public properties were destroyed and government employees had since left the station.
He said some police officers would be sent to Wasu and Sialum tomorrow (Thursday) to investigate the incident and make arrests.
In Salamaua, Huon Gulf, a councillor who won the seat allegedly with the help of his supporters used intimidation and threats to lobby for the presidential seat, forcing other winning candidates to support him.
N’Drasal said he was waiting to confirm reports from the villagers to send in police to investigate.
“This is the same situation with Leron-Wantoat in Markham district where winning candidates vying for the president’s seat have forced others to support them,” he said.
The PPC said for Garaina in Bulolo, it was reported that polling officials were chased by frustrated locals who were unhappy about the lack of government services in their area.
N’Drasal said the situation his men were facing with LLG elections in the province was similar to the tense scenes they had experienced during the 2017 national elections.
He said this did not bode well for the 2022 national elections unless the Government started preparing now.
N’Drasal appealed to people not to take law into their own hands and respect others.