Port Moresby

Kouoru observing from the sidelines as an official is impressed at the level of skills on display by players from Central village leagues; adding that the best players can be recruited for Gulf Isou and Central Dabaris Development teams as a start.

“Most of the players out here participating have played very well and this will open up the doors to further their rugby league career. I am happy that the tournament has been brought back to expose our young players and must continue,” he said.

The National Football Stadium will play host to the tournament over the next few days from Sunday 18 December to Saturday 24 December 2022.

This tournament is an opportunity for local teams to showcase their talents as the Port Moresby-based players stomp for glory against the small names.

In the first five matches of the day, there were pleasing results recorded in Pool A, B and C matches.

More than 50 teams mostly from the Central Province assembled at the NFS today for the official launching.

The 52 teams have been placed in 13 Pools with the ever popular Aroma Coast teams dominating the tournament and Goilala stamps a mark in the 9s rugby sending in two teams, Tapini Snails and Minaru Storms. Gulf sends in a team, Gulf Ifearea.

The tournament is tailored for the youths of Southern region to participate over the next five days ending on 24 December 2022.

NCD which was one of the first province to poll in the first week of July is yet to declare a winner for the regional seat.

Election Manager Kila Ralai refused to comment on the delay of counting for the Regional seat today after this newsroom visited the Rita Flynn-counting venue.

Counting officials were seen moving into the Rita-Flynn counting centre at 3pm.

It is understood counting is still in its quality check stage.

Outside the Rita Flynn gate, a notice issued by Mr. Ralai to all scrutineers and counting officials read;

The twelve members are:  

Moresby North-East is in Exclusion 68, taking the lead as of today, 11th of August is:

1. Andapanga Baliawe (IND) - 14,879 votes.
2. John Kaupa (PANGU Pati) - 12,865 votes.
3. Peter Dominic (APP) - 9,837 votes
4. Diane Unagi (ULP) - 9,698 votes
5. Labi Amaiu (NAP) - 8,644 votes

The officials are now distributing exclusion 68 - Andrew Mald.

Meanwhile, the NCD Regional seat is on the last counts. Ballot boxes were removed from the container to proceed counting.

Here are the recorded 10 candidates from this morning’s update:

1) Andapanga         11,890

2) John Kaupa        11,119

3) Peter Dominic      8,094

4) Labi Amaiu          7,160

5) Dickson Samai   6,799

6) Diane Unagi        6,786

7) Joe TinTin            6,432

8) Andrew Mald      5,491

9) Carl Okuk            5,171

10) Dr.S.Mosin        4,940

More updates to follow as there are seventeen boxes left to count.

After elimination 50, Alfred Baliawe Andapanga was leading the Top 5 candidates, with  11, 215 votes. inclumbent MP John Kaupa was runnign second with 10, 562 votes.

1. ALFRED B. ANDAPANGA – 11, 215
2. JOHN KAUPA – 10, 562
3. PETER DOMINIC – 7, 128
4. LABI AMAIU – 6, 491
5. DICKSON SAMAI – 6, 156

More updates to follow once 51st exclusion is completed.

Manukayasi said from the beginning, this election has been unique due to all the interferences with the electoral process caused by candidates, scrutineers, and even supporters.  He termed these elections as ‘unique.’

Manukayasi expresses that the delays in the completion of counting and quality checks has hindered what should have been a timely electoral process.

He says this is due to many people claiming from the start of the elections, that this would be a failed National General Election.

In an interview with Deputy Chief of Mission to Port Moresby, Joe Zadrozny addressed the current situation and encouraged all to stand in solidarity where needed.

He was deeply saddened by the recent reports of election-related violence, stating that this has threatened the democracy, equality and the rule of law in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Zadrozny applauded the swift actions taken to contain the matters at hand by the Police, Correctional Service and the Defence Force by restoring peace and order gradually back into the affected areas.