Papua New Guinea Police claim they are closing in on 15 candidates in Enga Province who allegedly used guns to threaten civilians in their attempt to derail the General Elections.
The Post Courier reports the Police Commissioner David Manning saying police have the candidates' names and know where they are hiding and has called on them to surrender.
He says most are highly educated men so it's hard to understand why they behaved the way they allegedly did.
The police said this group is suspected of instigating arson attacks, gun fights, attacks on police vehicles, and hijacking ballot boxes and papers.
Manning said the "situation in Enga Province is very serious and I have grave concerns for the lives of many innocent people there who have become victims of barbaric and animalistic attacks."
David Manning Photo: EMTV
Meanwhile, former PNG Defence Forces Commander Major General Jerry Singirok has expressed shock at the unprecedented level of gun related violence in this year's poll.
He placed the blame squarely at the feet of the government for failing to action the 2005 Gun Control Report that he authored.
Manning said the proliferation of guns in the highlands was not only shocking but showed the lack of commitment and concern by successive governments to seriously address his report.
The Gun Control Report made 244 recommendations which was endorsed by the PNG government.