PNG election officials in police custody

A group of senior Papua New Guinean electoral officials has been taken into police custody over potential corruption charges.

National capital district election manager Terrence Hetinu is being questioned by police, Radio NZ reports.

Police allegedly found 184,300 Kina ($A76,192) in his official work car along with a written agreement between himself and a candidate, the PNG LOOP news website reports.

Voting was suspended in Port Moresby on Tuesday.

The PNG Electoral Commission has confirmed polling has been delayed until Friday because it did not pay the officials "camping allowances".

There have been other difficulties in other regions with the electoral roll and ballot papers.

Voting in the PNG elections kicked off last weekend and spans a fortnight.

More than 3300 candidates including 165 women are contesting the poll, representing 44 political parties.