Norminations gone bad in Jimi
By Mal Taime
A FIRST election related death has been reported in the new Jiwaka Province before close of nominations yesterday (Thursday).
The death occurred in the remote Jimi district of the province, while another person sustained serious wounds and is at a critical condition.
The incident occurred early yesterday (Thursday) morning when candidates and supporters convoyed to pay their nomination fees.
Jiwaka Provincial Police commander Inspector Simon Nigi confirmed the incident and said a supporter of another came with his candidate to pay his nomination.
But the situation turned the other way around and a candidate (named) who already paid his nomination fee mobilized his supporters and attacked another candidate that allegedly claimed one life while another one was seriously injured and was in critical condition.
Insp Nigi said this was the only incident occurred in Jimi, while the other parts of Jiwaka remained calm.
It is believed that this may be the first incident reported in the country as of close of nomination yesterday.
He said the incident occurred at 6:30am yesterday morning.
Insp said before the incident occurred 12 policemen had been sent to Jimi to assess the situation, adding they would be back with a full report.
He said based on the report they would take further action.
Insp Niji said it was believed that the incident occurred between the two candidates and appealed to the rest of the people in Jimi to respect the law and not to take the law into their own hands.
According to the PPC the victim hails from Kol district in the upper Jimi area of Jiwaka Province.
He said his policemen would escort the returning officer with other officials safe to Banz.
Insp Nigi said police would continue to go and conduct awareness for free, fair and safe elections throughout Jiwaka Province.
The death occurred in the remote Jimi district of the province, while another person sustained serious wounds and is at a critical condition.
The incident occurred early yesterday (Thursday) morning when candidates and supporters convoyed to pay their nomination fees.
Jiwaka Provincial Police commander Inspector Simon Nigi confirmed the incident and said a supporter of another came with his candidate to pay his nomination.
But the situation turned the other way around and a candidate (named) who already paid his nomination fee mobilized his supporters and attacked another candidate that allegedly claimed one life while another one was seriously injured and was in critical condition.
Insp Nigi said this was the only incident occurred in Jimi, while the other parts of Jiwaka remained calm.
It is believed that this may be the first incident reported in the country as of close of nomination yesterday.
He said the incident occurred at 6:30am yesterday morning.
Insp said before the incident occurred 12 policemen had been sent to Jimi to assess the situation, adding they would be back with a full report.
He said based on the report they would take further action.
Insp Niji said it was believed that the incident occurred between the two candidates and appealed to the rest of the people in Jimi to respect the law and not to take the law into their own hands.
According to the PPC the victim hails from Kol district in the upper Jimi area of Jiwaka Province.
He said his policemen would escort the returning officer with other officials safe to Banz.
Insp Nigi said police would continue to go and conduct awareness for free, fair and safe elections throughout Jiwaka Province.
