The parliament of Papua New Guinea has voted to postpone the national elections for six months.
The vote passed in the House 63 to 11 following a 90 minute debate.
Elections are held every five years in PNG and scheduled for June.
Deputy Prime Minister, Belden Namah said the polls must be delayed to allow for proper security to be implemented in the Southern Highlands region.
Mr Namah warned against foreign intervention in parliament's decision.
However, electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen has repeatedly said only he has the power to defer elections and that they will go ahead as scheduled.
