Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato is confident that counting for the 2017 National Elections will be completed on time with counting progressing well across the country.
Gamato says with the rate counting is going so far, he is confident it will be completed in the two weeks period before the return of writs on July 24.
Gamato said they expect more declarations towards the end of the week.
“I hope more declarations can be done soon and the writs can be returned before July 24.
“We will still allow the counting process to go ahead for those electorates that are behind schedule,” Gamato explained.
In the Highlands Region, counting in Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands and Hela Province is progressing well with Tari-Pori Open seat declared.
For Western Highlands and Jiwaka Province, counting commenced today.
In the Momase Region, counting has started in some electorates of Morobe Province and counting in Madang will commence this week.
In East Sepik, counting for Angoram Open and Wewak Open seats started on Tuesday while Wewak, Wosera-Gawi, Yangoru-Saussia and the provincial seat commenced today.
For West Sepik, counting is progressing for the Vanimo Green Open and the Nuku Open seats while counting for the Telefomin Open and Aitape Lumi Open seats will commence on Thursday.
Counting for the provincial seat will start on Friday with all ballot boxes to be flown to the counting venue on Thursday.
In the New Guinea Islands, counting is progressing well in all provinces.
Whilst for the Southern Region, counting is progressing for the National Capital District, Central Province and Milne Bay except for the Samarai Murua Electorate with the counting in Oro and Gulf Province set to commence on Thursday.