Parliamentary elections in Papua New Guinea have been disrupted over the wizards. About it reports Radio New Zealand International.
Two of the candidates in the province of East Sepik demanded a recount: according to them, sorcerers with magic stole several ballots from the ballot boxes. Priests were asked to pray about urns to protect them from evil forces.
According to BBC News, the Chairman of the Central election Commission Patias Gamato — which previously required the court to prohibit critics to call it “Mr. Tomato” — has not yet commented on the situation.
Voting in Papua New Guinea ended July 8, but so far known only the names of 26 of 111 deputies.
The sorcery act was passed in the country in 1971, and repealed only in 2013. the document is not claimed that magic really exists. However, according to the law, the former the object of the magical ritual, the person was not responsible for his actions. Therefore, persons associated with witchcraft were considered criminals, and their murderers could expect a reduced sentence.
In Papua New Guinea is home to a large number of disparate tribes, who speak more than 850 languages. Many of them blamed the disease relatives in witchcraft. Often victims of accusations are newcomers from other tribes women without relatives.