An election related violence at the Kupiano town in the Abau district of Central Province was thankfully brought under control by police, preventing further escalation between the rival factions.  

Thanks to the quick response by police, the situation is now under control with police closely monitoring the situation in the town where residents witnessed a nasty confrontation between villages over disputes regarding the counting in the Local Level Government election.

Central Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Joseph Salle confirmed that his men are currently obtaining information regarding how the fight started, which led to an old man being seriously injured.

"Two police units from the Central Provincial Police Headquarters and a unit from Kwikila had been deployed to assist the Kupiano officers.

The counting for the LLG president that was supposed to commence at Kupiano yesterday was put on hold, awaiting the arrival of the police officers from Port Moresby to Kupiano station.

We had received information about armed men traveling from Port Moresby to Kupiano station in support of the fight, and we are looking into that. Police are communicating with the community to ensure that those who want to take the law into their own hands will be arrested and charged," PPC Salle said.

He further added that the counting for the LLG president will commence tomorrow, as per information provided by the election officials. He also called on the people of Wanigela, who are fighting, to stop fighting and observe the election peacefully. He said voting had been completed, and they are now into the counting and declaration of their leader.

PPC Salle also thanked the Central Police Rural Commander and his team for their quick response to calm the situation down.