A man is dead and several others were injured last Wednesday at Tambul station in Western Highlands Province.
Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent, Martin Lakari confirmed that it was election related.
Several district houses were also torched by supporters of a candidate from the Tambul-Nebilyer electorate.
PPC Lakari confirmed that on Wednesday, June 7, at the Tambul station, supporters of two candidates had provoked each other resulting in a shootout by the two factions. As a result, a man was killed and several others were injured.
Two men were severely injured and are in intensive care.
This is the first election related death so far in Western Highlands Province.
EMTV News tried to get comments from the two factions, the sitting member for Tambul-Nebilyer electorate, Benjamin Poponawa and his rival candidate, James Kennedy.
EMTV was unsuccessful to get the sitting member’s comments as one of his supporters was shot dead.
However, James Kennedy denied responsibility for the death of the man and the payment of compensation.
Kennedy said that they were provoked by the supporters of the sitting member whilst headed to Tambul for the launching of his campaign posters.
He said there was a big stone fight and during the fight, one of Poponawa’s men was shot with a gun.
PPC Lakari is warning both candidates to bring in suspects or police will use their powers to arrest both leaders.
Meanwhile, a vehicle was set alight last week Friday at the Kaiwe betel-nut market outside Mt Hagen.
Police believed the vehicle belonged to the Hagen Open sitting member, William Duma.
Lakari said supporters of another candidate resorted to violence by burning the vehicle.
