A sitting in MP in Papua New Guinea's Chimbu province has been charged in relation to election-related violence that left three people dead.
The violence broke out at the weekend in the Highlands town of Kundiawa when supporters of Tobias Kulang entered into a fight after being prevented from entering the vote counting centre.
Election-related violence in Kundiawa, 30 July 2017. Photo: Loop PNG
Several people were also injured in the fighting, and significant damage was caused in the town from subsequent rioting.
An election result in the Kundiawa-Gembogl electorate is still pending and there's no guarantee that Mr Kulang, a member of the People's National Congress party, will retain his seat.
PNG's police commissioner Gary Baki confirmed that Mr Kulang remains in police custody in Goroka in Eastern Highlands province.
The Kundiawa seat is one of six electorates likely to be undeclared when the 10th parliament begins today in Port Moresby.
PNG's Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato confirmed that 105 writs had been returned to the Governor-General yesterday.
As well as Kundiawa Gembolg open, seats still undeclared include Chimbu provincial, Eastern Highlands provincial, Kandep open and Southern Highlands provincial.
Mr Gamato indicated he would allow counting to continue, although it's expected parliament would still begin today all 111 seats declared.
The new parliament is expected to elect a speaker and then a prime minister in today's session.
