The Returning Officer for Rigo Open Virgil Waisa has revealed that seven candidates that turned up to nominate have failed to provide their Form 30 for Party endorsement.
Waisa said out of 17 candidates who have so far nominated, most of them sponsored by political parties say they have provided their forms to the electoral office at Waigani.
He said these candidates will be allowed to contest the election but will be regarded as independent candidates.
The returning officer also revealed that there has been an increase of female candidates intending to contest the 2017 National Elections compared to the 2012 elections.
In 2012, Rigo Open had only about three female candidates that contested.
The number of females that have provided their bio data for this year has increased to seven with only three nominated so far.