BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

LESS THAN two weeks before writs are issued for the second Bougainville government polls, election-related violence has broken out.

At the weekend, supporters and employees of a senior Bougainville Minister physically assaulted an intending candidate who is also a senior Administration officer.

The man was admitted to Buka Hospital with serious wounds but is now recovering at home.

Bougainville President James Tanis, who is contesting the election against PNG’s former Ambassador to China, John Momis, condemned the attack and said that such action by Ministerial staff was shameful.

“This will not help the Minister, the victim might win on sympathy votes,” he said.

Mr Tanis said that, as a bridge builder, he is not worried about who wins the election, only that leaders will work together after the election.

He said he had done a lot of travelling in the last twelve months to try and bring peace and reconciliation throughout Bougainville.

Writs for the ABG general elections will be issued on 26 March, nominations close on 2 April. Polling starts on 7 April and will continue until 21 May. Writs will be returned on 9 June.