PNC

This follows the elimination of National Alliance candidate Leslie Roai who polled 4681 votes after the 24th exclusion.

His ballot papers were distributed between Benjamin and People’s Movement for Change candidate, George Sikin.

Benjamin collected a total of 7,371 votes to secure the seat.

Meantime for the Manus Open seat PNC also managed to come home with another candidate in the likes of Job Pomat.

Job Pomat managed to secure 6,844 votes to be take the seat.

PM O’Neill said the success of the election in his district, and around the nation, is also another indication of the change in attitudes that is taking place around the country.

Returned to office with a record of 48,714 votes, which is 78 per cent of all ballots cast, the Prime Minister waited until every vote had been counted before being declared the winner.

Incumbent Governor for Simbu and PNC candidate, Noah Kool while hosting a final rally at Kundiawa town this afternoon was thrown stones at.

Reports on ground say, he was stoned by supporters of rival candidate, John Kerenga Gugl.

He was taken to the hospital and treated for minor abrasions and lacerations to the head.

Police confirmed that the confrontation started between supporters of the two candidates.

Provincial Election Manager, Reverend Tom Sine said both candidates were taken to the Police Station and resolved the issue.

Despite, their policies on free education and free health care programs, its clear many of the literate public are skeptical, thinking critically whether the policies have actually worked effectively during the last five years.

The campaign period was not all smooth sailing for the PNC Party; it had its dramatic moments, starting with the cancelation of the launching of a new state of the art Operating theatre at the Popondetta General Hospital.

Speaking before a large crowd in Popondetta, Oro Province, with PNC candidates Delilah Gore for Sohe Open, David Arore for Oro Regional and Sheldon Deilala for Ijivitari Open, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, called for honesty in the opposition.

“Elections are not a time to play politics, elections are a time to stand up and tell the people what you would deliver for our country,” O’Neill said.

“The budget allocation is very straight forward and people need to understand the facts.

“This year our budget is 13 billion Kina.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said his People’s National Congress Party will push for the funds establishment if it forms government in September.     

He said the fund will be built on the Free Education Policy the Government has funded in the last 6 years.          

“Also, we want to expand the program up to the tertiary education, we cannot only educate our kids up to year 12 and allow them to run around and do their own thing, which is what our system has been doing in the last 40 plus years,” O’Neill said on FM 100 Talk Back show on Thursday.    

NA Party parliamentary wing agreed to withdraw from the O'Neill - Dion government in a caucus meeting in Port Moresby today.

The decision followed the sacking of party leader Patrick Pruaitch as the Treasury Minister last week by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

The decision may have been compelling following the resignation of Transport Minister Malakai Tabar in support of his party leader on Saturday May 13, when he made the announcement at a campaign rally in his electorate.

More to come soon...  

He said O’Neill has his support and Enga MPs and will all do what they can to communicate with their people and ensure they are aware of the benefits that have been delivered.

“I am committed to giving PNC a chance to complete their policy agenda through a second term in Government.
“I am obliged to see that the O’Neill-led Government returns for another term of Parliament, to continue the massive range of infrastructure projects taking place in Enga and around the country, and to ensure political stability,” Sir Peter said.

That was announced by Prime Minister and parliamentary leader Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby this morning. He was speaking at the PNC convention launching the party campaign to maintain its grip on power.

The major party in the coalition government have endorsed 93 candidates for the 111 seat Parliament.

"Our government will give power to provinces that can manage its public services and finances (after the election)," O'Neill said.