A ward council candidate and two men have been arrested by police in Central Province for allegedly hijacking and destroying ballot papers at a polling venue during the Local Level Government (LLG) elections.
According to Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) NCD/Central, Benjamin Turi, the incident occurred today at Vanaba Brown LLG in the Hiri Koiari District. The three suspects are currently detained at Fifteen Mile Police Station and are expected to be charged under the Election Offences Act.
ACP Turi, who accompanied police officers from Central during the arrest, said that overall, the LLG Election 2025 in Central Province had been running smoothly until the incident at Veikabu, where the alleged hijacking took place.
“We had received positive results from all the districts in the province, with more than five ward councilors declared. Police officers are doing their normal policing duties and are observing the polling booths at their respective locations. I want to thank the people of Central for the past three days of peaceful polling,” ACP Turi said.
He commended both police officers and the public for maintaining peace throughout the province and urged everyone to allow the election process to proceed without disruption.
“Let the people elect their leaders independently, with the trust they have for the leaders to whom they will cast their vote,” he said.
ACP Turi also warned individuals traveling into the province to observe polling and counting to refrain from interfering with the election process. He said police units from both NCD and Central are monitoring communications closely and will not hesitate to arrest anyone who disturbs the elections.
Turi confirmed that the three suspects will appear in court once their files are completed.