Pacific / Papua New Guinea

PNG police and military begin post-election investigation

07:41 am on 24 August 2022

Police investigations have begun into 30 deaths that occurred during the just completed poll, which a number of commentators have deemed one of the most violent in Papua New Guinea's history.

Police are also looking further into the 242 people arrested for crimes committed during the election.

These include 21 candidates facing investigation - among them four would be MPs charged in relation to the violence that occurred in Mendi in Southern Highlands, during the poll.

Voting in the PNG election Photo: Raguel Kepas

Another 15 candidates are being investigated in relation to fighting in the Kandep and Lagaip districts.

The Prime Minister, James Marape, has said those involved in illegal practices, violence and other crimes are pawns in a deadly game.

The Post Courier reported him saying that the "sponsors of these crimes will get away and you are just being used as pawns and will either end up being killed or facing the full force of the law."

Marape said he has tasked the police and the PNG Defence Force to ensure the lawbreakers are brought to justice.