Polling in the Ijivitari By-election was completed yesterday.
Attempts to speak to the Returning Officer who is also the Assistant Manager of the PNG Electoral Commission in the Oro Province, were unsuccessful but it is understood that the last seven (7) boxes from Tufi LLG arrived in Popondetta yesterday afternoon and were taken straight to the Popondetta Police Station and locked up with the rest of the ballot boxes.
While the bi-election experienced logistical delays resulting in polling being completed a week after the original scheduled date, it has been relatively quiet and peaceful.
This has been attributed to the presence of a Police Mobile Squad Unit deployed from Port Moresby at the start of the bi-election.
Counting is expected to begin on Monday 23rd of November right after the candidates and scrutineers briefing.
It will be conducted at the Popondetta Town Council Chamber.
There have been very minimal Election related complaints but Police did report that the family home of David Arore was destroyed in a fire.
Arore who is a candidate in this bi-election is the former MP for Ijivitari who was ousted by the National Court for Bribery during the 2012 General Election.
Although Arore attempted to lay blame on other candidates from within the Afore LLG contesting the bi-election, there have been no witnesses and no arrests.