Steven Koupa

Election Manager Steven Koupa told Loop PNG this morning that remote areas of Wobura and Luda are yet to cast their votes.

He said since yesterday, they had been waiting for the chopper to airlift ballot boxes.

He added that the delay will affect the schedule for counting.

Koupa also raised concerns that this is a priority area therefore the helicopter firm should make it their priority to airlift the ballot boxes.

Meanwhile, all districts have completed their polling and ballot boxes have been extracted to the police station in Goroka for counting.

A candidate in the Goroka open seat recently posted pictures on social media alleging that people are voting at will, without any control from the polling officials.

Koupa, when asked about the claims, said the presiding officer, at that time, allowed that to happen in order to complete polling on time.

"Sometimes, when polling is late, the presiding officer had to act on the best interest of the people by allowing them to vote and really don't need to call the roll."

"To me it's not hijacking of the election process," Koupa stated.