Rivand Nay, of private television station RCTI in Papua, was reportedly threatened by a group of men armed with bows, arrows and machetes at the Kampung Fona I polling station on Thursday last week. His camera was also confiscated. Rivand was forced to remain inside his house as the armed men continued to mill around outside.

"It began on Thursday when I left my house [to cover the election]. I had only walked for around five minutes when I was suddenly blocked by around 10 people who had bows and arrows and short machetes. They told me to turn back and they kept my camera," Rivand said.

The journalist said one of the unidentified persons aimed a bow and arrow at his chest.

Papua Post journalist Gultom Pangaribuan said he and 10 other people were taken hostage at the Kampung Fona II polling station. He said there were two Mamberamo Raya Police officers at the polling station but they were too afraid to take action.

In total, nine journalists from various media outlets were covering the rerun election in Mamberamo Raya on Thursday. Each polling station was covered by one journalist, the Jakarta Post reported.