Police and Defence Force personnel in the Papua new Guinea province of Hela have arrested the assistant returning officer for the Komo-Magarima electorate.
Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
NBC News reported the officer is alleged to have mishandled two disputed boxes for the Awi-Lagayu local level government area, as vote counting continues in the national election.
The security forces also confiscated $US1290 from the officer before he was charged at the Tari police station..
The counting elimination process for the Komo-Magarim Open Seat is to start today, with the People's Action Party leader Tukuyawini Peter Philip in the lead.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission says the commissioner will make a response to allegations of ballot fraud in Jiwaka province's North Waghi district once he receives a full report from the returning officer and election manager of the province.