2017 National Elections

Sir Mekere leads with 5,189 votes after count 64 from ballot box from Morata 1 Community Hall area.  

Manus Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector David Yapu said the last of the 21 ballot boxes was completed early this morning.

They will now proceed to do quality checks today before elimination begins.

At the end of all primary votes, the two PNC candidates have maintained their lead in both the Regional and Open seats.  

Independent candidate Sam Tasion moved back to fifth spot in the Regional seat after count 21.

In the open seat, sitting MP Ronny Knight dropped to sixth spot with 1,498 at the end of primary vote count. 

Progressive results after count 14 last night:  

Southern Highlands Provincial Election Manager Philip Wakias confirmed it this morning.

Wakias told Loop PNG there will be no quality checks done as O'Neill's numbers have gone over the absolute majority.

He added that they will finish the remaining 29 ballot boxes today for Ialibu-Pangia before making a declaration.

Ialibu-Pangia has 117 ballot boxes.

Wakias said counting is progressing well despite minor hiccups with funding.

Loop PNG is on the ground in Mendi to witness the declaration of the Prime Minister.

The notice has been given through the Secretary’s Circular Instruction No 8 of 2017.

While commending the teachers and students who resumed Term 3 on Monday, July 10, Secretary for Education, Dr Uke Kombra, said it is very important that all students attending schools within the National Education System meet the approved instructional hours to be eligible for graduation and to sit for the Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations.

Therefore teachers must be at the schools and must perform their teaching and other curricular duties.

Here is the progressive result:

Vanimo-Green River Open - after count 5

Gazelle Open - after count 28

Iduhu hit the 1000 mark after the first count and is still maintaining his pace.

Counting officials are currently in session.

Provincial Election Manager, Philip Telape, says they will still count even though officials raised concerns on their allowances.

He adds that counting should have started yesterday but the issue of allowance made them defer it to today.

More updates to come…