It was a close race for the Alotau Open Seat as counting officials concluded eliminations yesterday for 35 candidates.
People's National Congress Party candidate, Ricky Morris has come out on top, elected for the first time as member-elect.
Morris led with 8,093 votes. Coming in close was Lisia Ilaibeni (URP) with 7,986 polling; a difference of 170 votes.
Allan Bole Baniyamai (PNGP) was the 36th candidate to be eliminated. His votes were distributed and Morris won.