Supporters urged to stay away from counting centres

SUPPORTERS of candidates “wasting their time” outside a counting centre have been urged to go home because they can start trouble.
Provincial police commander Supt Kaiglo Ambane was commenting on the crowd outside the counting centre at Kimininga police barracks in Western Highlands province.
He said the gathering could spark trouble between supporters of rival candidates.
Ambane requested the people to stay at home and do something useful instead of wasting their time hanging outside the counting centre when counting was going on.
He said their presence outside would not make any difference to what was happening inside the counting room.
He said presiding officers, scrutineers, counting officials and election officials had a responsibility to count the ballot boxes and announce the results.
Ambane said counting was conducted under tight security and there was no room for foul play.
He said polling in the province was conducted peacefully and the counting was progressing smoothly.
He said there were only five seats in the province so there would be only five winners.
Ambane said not all candidates would be declared winners and everyone must accept the outcome of the elections.