Police in Papua New Guinea say two men have been shot dead in a clash between supporters of two political parties in Morobe province.
Jacob Singura Photo:
Morobe commander Superintendent Jacob Singura confirmed that the incident in Munum Village outside Lae was election-related.
Singura told The National the police would proceed with arrests after the post-mortems were conducted.
He said the investigators would also be looking into the burning of a vehicle, market houses and other properties that were destroyed in the incident.
Several people were also injured.
Singura appealed to both sides of the political divide to work closely with the police to have those responsible for the killings identified and arrested.
Commissioner appeals for calm and respect
Chief Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has called on all candidates and supporters to respect each other during the campaign period and not to incite violence and trouble.
"Elections are meant to be free and fair where citizens get the opportunity to choose their leader. There are rivalries in any contest whether it be politics or sports and we must always respect the rules of the game," he told the Post Courier.
Sinai made the comments following reports of an incident that happened last Friday in Okapa, Eastern Highlands Province, where there was a clash between the supporters of sitting MP Saki Soloma and the public, which resulted in burning of vehicles belonging to the local member.
"I appeal to all citizens to respect one another during the campaign period. Candidates must use the time and opportunity to spell out your policies and voters must listen to their policy statements, which should assist in making informed choices and decisions when casting your vote.
"No one should take things personally and incite trouble just because you don't like certain personalities or groups of people. This is a democratic country and let's be mature and responsible in our thinking and have respect for others in the way we conduct ourselves," he said.
"Let's be civilised and do things the right way. The only way to show dissent is in the ballot box and not by use of force and intimidation. If you don't like a candidate, you have that opportunity now to make your choice and not by confrontation."
The Commissioner further warned those individuals going around destroying candidate posters and election banners put up by political parties and candidates, as such acts constitute an electoral offence and individuals can be arrested and fined or jailed once they are caught.