BY PEARSON KOLO
Two men are dead and another is fighting for his life after a brutal election-related fight near the counting centre in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, about noon on Wednesday.
The fight reportedly broke out between two districts in the EHP and it was reported to be related to the regional seat counting.
Details of the fight were sketchy but Eastern Highlands police commander Chief Superintendent Alex N’Drasal confirmed the incident and the two deaths yesterday.
Supt N’Drasal said investigations were still being conducted into the violence.
“I would like to call on the supporters and candidates in EHP to stop creating election-related violence because they will not achieve anything through violence,” the PPC said.
“Now the election is going in the final processes of the counting and we the candidates and supporters must be prepared to accept the outcomes and move on with life.”
Supt N’Drasal warned that the police and security personnel providing security during the National Election will arrest and deal with those disturbing public peace.
The PPC added that what could have been worse was stopped by the police after firing several warning shots.
Reports at the Goroka Provincial Hospital was that three seriously injured men were taken to the hospital but two were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and their bodies were put in the morgue while the other was treated at the emergency and ICU ward.
Meanwhile, counting was progressing inside the National Sports Institute and the atmosphere outside was quite with heavy police presence, with the count for regional half was through from a total of 636 boxes.