2017 National Elections

Incumbent Open member Ronny Knight has also climbed up to third spot after count 14 and remained there after count 16.  

As of this morning (July 13) , 16 of the 21 boxes were counted. Count 16 is ballot boxes from the Pomutu-Kurti-Andra LLG.

Provincial Election Manager, Philip Telape, confirmed with Loop PNG this morning.

He said they were supposed to start on Wednesday but due to problems regarding the payment of polling officials, it was deferred to today.

Telape said they are still waiting for their payment.

More updates to come…

(Loop file pic)

Lawyer and a candidate contesting the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Kuli Liria, filed an urgent application in the Supreme Court, seeking its interpretation on whether polling on Sunday was constitutional.

The matter briefly came for mention at 5pm on Tuesday and was adjourned to Monday, July 17.

The high court has been asked to interpret section 130 of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections.

Enga Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent George Kakas, confirmed that roadblocks have also been set up to stop the extraction of the ballot boxes.

Kakas said because of the delays, candidates and supporters resorted to attacking each other.

Kakas also confirmed that a policeman was also wounded in Wapenamanda whilst trying to extract ballot boxes from Tsak valley.

The policeman, who is attached to the Mobile squad 4, has been airlifted to Port Moresby for treatment.

He said the matter is now a criminal matter and police are still investigating.

Speaking to media outside the counting venue, he said he was happy with how the count progressed quickly and the declaration made today.

Jimmy said while other seats for NCD were still facing issues such as allowances, including Moresby South, the counting officials proceeded to fast track counting.

He further commended Returning Officer, Michael Are, for a job well done.

Returning Officer Michael Are announced Tkatchenko as the returning Moresby South MP at 3.45pm today.

Flanked by incumbent NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Tkatchenko signed the official writ for the seat confirming his victory.

It was a landslide win for Tkatchenko who, according to the final results, polled 19,983 votes, surpassing the absolute majority needed, which is 19,643.

In second place was Samson Kirilyo who polled 5,735 followed by Anna Skate, who polled 4,448 votes.

Returning officer Michael Are announced the suspension after all ballot papers cast for Justin Tkatchenko had been checked.

He said scrutineers were satisfied after initially raising issue to have the ballot papers checked again.

The final results are being tallied and will be released.

Justin Tkatchenko will be declared this afternoon as the returning Moresby South MP.

He will be accompanied by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

Currently present at the venue is NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi and NCD Election Manager, Alwyn Jimmy.

  In our last update (count 12), sitting MP Labi Amaiu was ranked fifth, however, he has now moved up to the fourth place.