Central Province

Hiri-Koiari Prep For Quality Check

Ballot boxes for Central Provincial seat were transferred to Ben Moide Club at Murray Barracks today.

Hiri-Koiari Returning Officer, Leo Ameua, said that before resuming quality checks, sitting arrangements will be reorganized. The number of counting officials will also be reduced.

He said this is to make sure the Open and Regional seat counting areas are not overcrowded.

Elemi and Temu lead respective counts

Last night, Turai Elemi (NAP) was leading the tally for Rigo Open with 4,573 votes, Ano Pala (PANGU Pati) was closely behind with 4,363, and incumbent MP Lekwa Gure (ULP) polled 2,505. Female candidate Vikki Mossine (FPP) followed with 1,977 votes, and independent candidate Esau Lui polled 1,711 votes. This covers 34.78% counting completion.

Meanwhile counting for Abau District in Central Province also began last Thursday, and is professing slowly and steadily. Counting officials managed to count 18 ballot boxes.

Rigo Counting Update

The progressive tally after count 1- Open Seat (Rigo District):

  1. Turai Elemi (National Alliance Party) – 292
  2. Vikki Mossine (Future of PNG Party) – 214
  3. Rendle Rimua (Independent) – 103
  4. Ano Pala (Pangu Pati) – 69
  5. Esau Lui (Independent) – 26

Kairuku Counting Day 3 Update

The progressive tally for Kairuku Open count 7 is:

  1. Seline Leo Lohia (Indigenous Liberation Party) – 1,847
  2. Peter Namea Isoaimo (National Alliance Party) – 1,577
  3. Allan Auka Keagaimo (Independent) – 787
  4. Paru Aihi (People’s National Congress Party) –702
  5. Bona Kolopi Ine’e (United Labour Party) – 413.

For Provincial Seat-Kairuku District Counting:

Hiri-Koiari Count 3 Update

The progressive tally as of midday today is:

  1. Andrew Moi – 751
  2. Keith Iduhu (New Generation Party) – 477
  3. Mathias Jack (Independent Candidate) – 362
  4. Gabriel Nicholas (PNG National Party) – 227
  5. Willie Kaeaka (Independent Candidate) – 54

For Central Regional- counting for Hiri-Koiari is:

Election Peaceful For Central: Koaba

“Do not feel down-hearted, we will eventually bring those ballot boxes and we should soon start latest being Thursday,” Central Provincial Election Steering Committee Chairman, Francis Koaba said.

He said that they are hopeful that before the writs are returned on 29th July, the province should be able to know its elected members of each electorates.

Hiri/Koiari RO speaks on delay

Returning Officer Leo Ameua said counting has been delayed for two days because they are lacking vital materials to begin.

Counting begins for Kairuku District

Chairman of the Election Steering Committee for Central Province, Francis Koaba, spoke about the counting process and how the long delay is a norm in the country.

“It is inevitable for all the elections past and current, that we have our short coming in terms of logistical planning. The logistical planning have been undertaken by the Electoral Commission but in close consultation of the Provincial elections steering committee,” Koaba said.

He said that apart from counting, the polling process in the province was a peaceful one.

Counting For Central Delayed

According to Kairuku counting officer, Margaret Ani, said that they have been waiting since Monday regarding allowances and training, which she said was rushed when finally held yesterday.

“We came on Monday, it’s a week in the city, and our main problem is accommodation and money. We cannot survive without money in the city,” she said.

Ani said most of the officials have been sleeping outside Murray Barracks gates in their vehicles or under the tents and some are at their relative’s house.  

Pastor’s Death Update

Young Gele was traveling in the same boat as late Reverend Pene Ila and his wife Sina. The bodies of the pastor and his wife have been found. Unfortunately it has been a week of searching and there is still no sign of Gele.

The news of the passing of a United Church Pastor and his wife has saddened the district.

Rev. Ila from Keapara Village was serving in Kamali Village. He and his wife were traveling to Keapara to vote when they met their fate.