Polling booths open in Papua New Guinea\'s national election

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea - Papua New Guinea\'s general election began in a whirl of color and drums Saturday, as voters dressed in traditional garb line up at polling stations with hopes of stability for the struggling Pacific nation.\nThe country is holding its seventh election since gaining independence from its southern neighbor Australia in 1975.\nPrime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta has labeled the 2002 poll as the country\'s most important. It is being contested by almost 3,000 candidates from 43 political parties and including hundreds of independents.\nThe makeup of the 109-seat Parliament will not be known until official results are released July 15.