Day 4 of counting for Rabaul seat kicked off today this time earlier as of 8am at Maltech hall, according to Returning Officer, Babel Umri.
He says it is expected that nine boxes will be counted today due to the slow pace experienced in the past few days.
From situation faced yesterday with four candidates requesting quality check, the RO believes there will be good understanding as counting progresses.
Yesterday, 14th July, PRO Joap Voivoi advised that a full quality check was conducted on all 6 ballot boxes for all the nine candidates from 11am to 6pm, leaving candidates and scrutineers satisfied with this process.
Mr Umri is urging for full cooperation from scrutineers and counting officials as there is still the elimination to do.
Security details at Maltech provided by police and PNGDF officers have managed to contain minor issues since counting started this week.
By 8am, counting started with Box 7 polled by Team 122 from resettlement areas of Volavolo, Ratavul, Tavana, Valaur and Ratung in Balanataman LLG.
This was followed by counting of Box 8 which was polled by Team 123, and in the resettlement areas of Iawaka, Malaguna 1,2,3 and Rapolo with quality checks of this box underway.
Progressive Tally for the first five are:
- Dr. Allan Marat – 2387
- Raymond Paulius – 1144
- Grahem Piniau Rumet – 810
- Wayne Coleman Tamsak – 778
- Taupa Puipui – 666