Hundreds of supporters of a local parliament member who was voted out of office went on a rampage yesterday, smashing a polling station with rocks and damaging nearby buildings in a remote province of the Solomon Islands.
Local police officers were unable to suppress the early morning riot by supporters of Patterson Oti. The large crowd stormed a counting station, threw rocks and damaged shops and offices in the provincial center of Lata.
NO CASUALTIES
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
“The situation this morning is tense and we are helpless to stop the rampage because we do not have adequate officers and resources,” a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said by telephone.
Election results have often sparked unrest between supporters of rival politicians, resulting in deaths and property damage in the South Pacific nation of about 600,000 people scattered across 1,000 islands.
SECURITY
Foreign peacekeepers stepped up security in Honiara, the nation’s capital, during the elections on Wednesday as well as the continuing vote counting, however, no extra forces were sent to remote centers like Lata.
An Australian-led international security force, Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands (RAMSI), has attempted to maintain peace in the Solomons since 2003, after hundreds were killed in ethnic violence that drove at least 20,000 people from their homes.
“Authorities in Honiara failed to deploy RAMSI soldiers to help us in unexpected situations like this and I am disappointed,” the police officer said.
CANDIDATES
A record 509 candidates are seeking election to the nation’s 50-seat parliament.
Vote counting in most constituencies is expected to be completed tomorrow, although voting in the remote outer regions of Ontong Java and Sikiana will take place on Monday because of transportation difficulties.
Foreign election observers were pleased overall with the polling and the Electoral Commission has said it has found no evidence of fraud.
In the latest results, former prime ministers Manasseh Sogavare and Snyder Rini were among the parliament members who have retained their seats.
Derek Sikua, who became prime minister in 2007, is also seeking re-election.
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