2017 PNG National Elections

As of the close of nominations, the Prime Minister’s electorate of Ialibu Pangia in Southern Highlands Province recorded the lowest number of candidate nominations from the numbers received for some highlands provinces.

It recorded just 10 candidates.

The table below provides a summary of candidate numbers for some electorates in the highlands region.

Micah will be running against 22 other candidates to retain his seat, this includes three female candidates.

His nomination was witnessed by the founder of People Progress Party, Sir Julius Chan, New Ireland Governor and fellow PPP member, Namatanai MP Byron Chan who filed his nominations last Friday (April 21).

New Ireland Election Manager Glenson Laena told Loop PNG from Kavieng that Ron Meli was the last candidate who filed his nomination this afternoon to contest the Kavieng Open seat.

This includes the sitting member and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill who nominated last Friday to retain his seat.

Returning officer, Michael Ariando is expecting one or two more nominations before the close at 4:06pm today.

Ariando is looking at least 11 candidates for the Ialibu Pangia electorate this election compared to 2012 when the total number of candidates contesting was just 8, one of the lowest in the country.

Nominations up there he says has been quiet as the nomination week winds down.