A five-day buffer still remains for the Electoral Commission to extend counting beyond the deadline of the return of writs.
Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, says the Organic Law on Election allows 21 days of counting but they only asked for 16 days for this election.
If counting in some areas is not completed by the return of writ deadline, which is July 24th, Gamato said they will advise the Governor-General to extend for the full 21 days as required under law.
“We are now discussing that option with the Secretary to the Governor-General to find a time suitable before or during that day to return the writs for the National General Election under special circumstances,” he said.
“This will apply to those who do not finish counting before the 24th of July, 2017. I am hoping that by next week, counting can be completed and declarations made so that I can return all the writs together.
“By 24th July, if an electorate is counting, I will still request extension for them to continue counting after the date of the return of writs so their writs can be returned after the rest of the writs have been returned on or before 24th July,” added Gamato.