PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) — In Papua New Guinea, allegations of electoral intimidation and standover tactics have emerged following unconfirmed reports of a shootout on Friday night, during which a policeman was shot dead and a local election candidate was taken hostage in the country’s Southern Highlands.
The candidate, Benias Perry, is reportedly being held hostage along with three other policemen—allegedly by supporters of Perry’s political rival in the country’s upcoming national elections.
On Saturday night, the former Southern Highlands Gov. Anderson Agiru traveled to the area and unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate their release.
Moses Komengi, a church leader in Tari in the Southern Highlands, said there are now concerns in local communities that the police won’t be in control of law and order as tensions increase in the lead up to elections.
“The rebels have high-powered weapons. The area is very dangerous even for police to go in. The governor told me that police were trying to go in but they were afraid.”
Komengi said indications were that Perry was set for a landslide win and the kidnapping is an attempt to prevent him standing for election.
“We haven’t seen anything of this kind in an election before. We are all shocked and afraid,” he said.
