Three of the 25 candidates for the Southern Highlands Provincial Seat are calling on the Electoral Commissioner to fast-track counting.
Candidates Jerry Kiwa, Joe Kobol and Ps Bernard Peter, in a separate press conference in Mt Hagen yesterday, said they have wasted a lot of time and effort already in Mendi and they do not want the counting process to be further delayed.
The candidates pointed out that the Southern Highlands Provincial Seat is no different from other provincial seats.
The formal declaration should have been done already but the former Provincial Returning Officer, Jacob Kurap’s manner in conducting the counting, was not right by declaring the incumbent Governor William Powi.
They said they have alerted the Electoral Commissioner about the irregularities of the counting process but are yet to see positive results.
The candidates said the people of Southern Highlands already missed out on two important national events; the election of the parliament speaker and the prime minister.
They are therefore urging the Electoral Commission to accelerate the process so elimination can take place immediately.
Meantime, they are questioning why counting was relocated to Mt Hagen while the election related violence in Mendi was described to be a minor issue which may not disturb the counting centre.
(Loop file pic)