Papua New Guinea's military was called out today to quell unrest after the death toll in the politically unstable South Pacific nation's chaotic national elections rose to at least 19.
Soldiers flew from the capital Port Moresby to reinforce police in the volatile Highlands region where two people, including an election candidate, were shot dead in fighting between factions on Monday.
The troops were called in after the Southern Highlands administrator declared the area a "fighting zone", giving security forces emergency powers including the right to search people and their homes without warrants.
The military, divided by two mutinies in the past five years, has never been used outside a logistics support role in the previous six elections since Papua New Guinea's independence from Australia in 1975.
Polling began on June 15th had been due to end on June 29th but the unrest and widespread irregularities, including missing ballot boxes and papers, multiple voting and thousands of "ghost voters" on electoral rolls, has forced an extension of two weeks.
The death toll from election-related violence has been put at least 19 by domestic media citing witnesses and hospital workers. Dozens of people have been injured but police have been unable to confirm the toll.
Electoral Commission results today showed Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta's People's Democratic Movement had won seven of the 40 seats decided so far in the 109-seat parliament.
His main rival, founding premier Sir Michael Somare's National Alliance, has also won seven seats. The remaining 26 declared seats are shared between 13 other parties and five independents.
Papua New Guinea is rich in oil, gas, copper and timber but remains poor and under-developed, held back by corruption, riots, army mutinies and tribal wars over the past five years.