Don Polye’s margin continues to widen in the recount of the 2012 National Elections Kandep Open votes.
After count 62, which ended the votes recount yesterday evening, the sitting Kandep MP and Opposition Leader collected 21,235 votes, says Kandep Returning Officer Alwin Jimmy.
Jimmy told Loop PNG that Alfred Manase is in second place with 9,921 votes and all the other candidates are yet to master the 3,000 vote mark.
He added that 43,640 ballot papers were allowed, and 260 votes were found to be informal.
“The count is still after the absolute majority and grand total (votes) counted (so far) is 43,900, with 12 more ballot boxes to go,” the returning officer said.
Jimmy stated that counting officials and security people are cooperating and there is no trouble at the counting venue.
He also added that they will open and count the five disputed 2012 elections ballot boxes because it’s a court directive.
The recount resumes today at the Wabag Primary School.
(File picture of votes counting room after election polling in Papua New Guinea. Source devpolicy.org.)