RO fails Usino, Bundi election

ELECTIONS in the Usino-Bundi electorate, Madang province, was declared as failed last night
by the returning officer Steven Biko.Biko said it was due to external factors and that a further declaration of the winner yesterday would have resulted in a confrontation between supporters of
candidates.Yesterday at about 11am, elimination of James Thaddeus Yepoi gave Yagama 1000-plus votes, which pushed him to the top after sitting MP Samson Kuli had led for two days.
Split votes from Thaddeus also gave businessman Peter Yama  906 votes which saw him maintained his third place but came close to Kuli with a difference of 22.
After elimination 37, Kaunsil Kaniku fell out of the race with the majority of his votes being exhausted, with only a few shared among the three.When the tally was to be recorded on the board, a fight broke out between supporters of the remaining candidates.Before the fiasco, supporters of a candidate went on a hunt and frenzy, pulling out timbers, bamboo poles and stones to hit their opponents with.
A fight also broke out last night which ended up at the station where the counting was held but it could not be confirmed if there were any casualties.
“We were cornered. I was forced to make that decision. Had I not, the problem would have escalated and unnecessary loss of lives or damage could have occurred,” Biko said.
“I had to say that to contain the situation or there would be bloodshed,” he said.
A report of the situation would be sent to the provincial steering committee today.
Meanwhile, a declaration for the regional seat is yet to be announced.