Sepik supporters stone buses

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday August 6th, 2013

 VOTING in the Wewak Urban local level government ended in disaster as three PMV buses were smashed by supporters of losing candidates after the declaration of Charles Malenki as Wewak town mayor late on Sunday afternoon.

Malenki unseated incumbent Peter Saun, who was runner-up in a pool of 28 candidates.

Wewak Police Station commander, Sakawar Kasieng said this isolated incident marred an otherwise very peaceful election in the district.

Chief Insp Kasieng praised the people for taking ownership of the election.

He said the buses were stoned by supporters of losing candidates for the Wewak town mayor seat and police gave the suspects until late yesterday afternoon to surrender.

He said the two 25-seater buses and a 15-seater bus were stoned by youths from settlements around Wewak that police were now combing.

The end of counting for Wewak Urban local level government completed the election process for Wewak district’s five LLGs, which have successfully elected their ward councillors and presidents.

Turubu LLG was the first to declare its president a week ago, followed by Wewak Island and Wewak Rural last Thursday and Boikin-Dagua and Wewak Urban on Saturday and Sunday respectively.