Voting began Saturday in Papua New Guinea's general election after months of turmoil that saw two leaders claiming to be the legal prime minister. The voting process will take several weeks because of the isolation of many villages and island settlements. Electoral Commission spokesman Alphonse Muapi told Australia's SBS television that voting started peacefully. Security forces were deployed across the country as violence has broken out in previous elections. Australian and New Zealand police and military were providing logistical support. Papua New Guinea has 4.6 million people registered to vote, with many polling stations so remote they are only accessible by air. Long-serving Prime Minister Michael Somare was ousted while he was ill by Peter O'Neill, but a court ruled the move was illegal, according to a report of DPA. There are 48 political parties with 3,500 candidates vying for 111 seats in parliament. A result is not expected before July 27.
