Simbu

The two deceased include an elderly man from the Eastern Highlands, who was stabbed in the chest at Gerehu stage one after he had tried to stop a drunken brawl between men from Eastern Highlands and another group from East Sepik. The other victim, from the Siane area, died due to wounds caused by people from the Saraga area at Six-Mile. These two groups are from Simbu Province.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, commander Ben Turi, confirmed the deaths this afternoon, stating that these incidents occurred around the same time on Sunday afternoon.

After exclusion 37 today, William Gogl Onglo secured 15,499 votes, surpassing the absolute majority of 14,150.

The runner-up was Wagi Merimba with 12,798 votes.

William Gogl Onglo was officially declared by the Returning Officer at 2:45pm this afternoon.

As of 7:30pm yesterday, when counting was suspended, the progressive tally for the Simbu Regional Seat sees, 

Provincial

Chuave Returning Officer, Peter Are, confirmed this with Loop PNG.

He said they are now awaiting the extraction of ballot papers to Kundiawa.

Are said polling was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner.

He said even though they started a day late, they have finished on time.

He added that the Simbu Provincial Election Steering Committee had come up with strict security measures and nothing will be illegally conducted in regards to ballot papers.

The ballot papers did not match the voting population of 26,000 in the district.

The issue is a result of discrepancies in the Electoral Roll update.

The extra ballot papers were burnt in the presence of security personnel and election officials.

Provincial election steering committee chairman, Joe Tonda Nao, says his team had spent the whole day on Monday going through ballot boxes and discovered the extra ballot papers.

Provincial Election Manager Tom Sine told Loop PNG this morning that everything has been prepared and polling teams are ready to conduct the polls.

He said despite the deferral on Monday, people are looking forward to casting their votes today.

The one-day polling, scheduled for yesterday for the three highlands provinces, did not eventuate in some districts due to grievances raised by candidates and supporters regarding the Electoral Roll and other issues.

More to come...

Simbu Election Manager Tom Sine told Loop PNG that people have raised concern with the issue of common roll and names not on the list to vote.

Sine said most areas in the province have no names on the common roll.

“We are set to go except that the issue of Common Roll has been raised and we’re still waiting for directions from Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.”

He added that as soon as Gamato gives his directives, they will update the people of Simbu.

More to come… 

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.

The meeting, which began yesterday and ends today, will include stakeholders from Western Highlands and Chimbu.

The CIC will be presenting an update on the CBB incursion and measures they and other authorities will be implementing and will also allow for feedback and suggestions as a way forward for the benefit of all players in the industry.