2022 National General Elections

Final elimination for Kokopo Open

At 1:30pm, the latest tally put People’s National Congress Party candidate Ereman ToBaining Jnr in the lead with 11,109 votes. PANGU Pati Emil Tamur had 6,038 votes.

The absolute majority is at 12, 539.

Kokopo Open seat is expecting a new Member of Parliament by this afternoon.

Meanwhile, candidate Komet Malari has bowed out of the race in the 19th exclusion. His 5,482 votes will be shared between Ereman Tobaining Jnr and incumbent MP Emil Tamur.

Sitting MPs Lead In POM Counting

The last count for MNE, count 84, had sitting MP John Kaupa in the lead.

  1. John Kaupa (PANGU Pati) - 5,779
  2. Alfred Andapanga Baliawe (IND) - 4,404
  3. Dickson Samai (IND) - 3,525
  4. Diane Unagi Koiam (ULP) - 3,030
  5. Joe Tintin Saraga (PLP) - 2,920

The counting completion rate after count 84 is 41.74%.

Meantime, Moresby North West (MNW) Open suspended counting yesterday as well.

After count 119 yesterday, Lohia Boe Samuel was leading the race.

Gulf Counting Underway

For Central Kerema LLG Count # 12/47 (Karama, Pukari, Elava and Koaru, Wards 10, 11, 12) as at this morning, the progressive results for Kerema Open are;

1. Thomas Opa (PANGU) - 2,833

2. Teretere Terry Maraka (Ind) - 1,178

3. Nickson Laime Niki (Ind) - 968

4. Roland Alo Kapo (Liberal Party) – 918

5. Koraea Kingsley Lore (Ind) - 772

6. Alex Hearo (ULP) - 713

7. Jack Narrie (Ind) - 426

8. Hekaroa Haroho Pala (Ind) - 365

9. Sieman Farapo (PNG Party) - 352

10. Nori Daniel Arimu (PNGNP) – 246

 

Elemi and Temu lead respective counts

Last night, Turai Elemi (NAP) was leading the tally for Rigo Open with 4,573 votes, Ano Pala (PANGU Pati) was closely behind with 4,363, and incumbent MP Lekwa Gure (ULP) polled 2,505. Female candidate Vikki Mossine (FPP) followed with 1,977 votes, and independent candidate Esau Lui polled 1,711 votes. This covers 34.78% counting completion.

Meanwhile counting for Abau District in Central Province also began last Thursday, and is professing slowly and steadily. Counting officials managed to count 18 ballot boxes.

Schnaubelt Re-elected

Schnaubelt was officially declared after the 16th exclusion, having polled 16, 454 votes.

His declaration was done at the Stemper hall in Namatanai town at 8pm yesterday.

Finishing second was People’s Progress Party candidate Byron Chan with 12,393 votes and second runner-up, James Seat finished with 3,936 votes.

Schnaubelt was first elected into Parliament in the 2017 National General Election.

New Ireland has declared it’s  MPs for each district and the provincial seat.

Cops suspended for various offences

Madang provincial police commander acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said one officer was arrested and charged for accepting bribery, another was suspended for driving a candidate’s vehicle, and the rest were suspended for drinking while on duty.

PPC Rubiang said out of the seven, two are from Sumkar district while the rest are from Madang town. The officers will be dealt with after the election.

PPC Rubiang said police officers  had been briefed by their respective commanders on what to do and what not to do during elections.

Andapanga Clears His Name

Andapanga is concerned that members of the public have thrown some blame at him and his supporters for the attacks.

The candidate is adamant he has been wrongly accused.

He told media this morning, “…on social media and everywhere they are accusing me (and) my supporters for causing this problem. In fact when they go down to the wire and investigate, they will realize that it is not Andapanga’s supporters.

“I want to appeal to Papua New Guineans to make an investigation and find out who cause this problem.”

Safe elections, a challenge

Unfortunately, this has not been the case across the country, and conducting safe elections has been particularly challenging in several provinces, districts, and the nation’s Capital, Port Moresby.

Sinai has called on leaders, political parties, candidates, scrutineers, and their supporters to respect the electoral process and refrain from inciting violence or intervening in the counting process.

Paita Declared

His votes exceed the absolute majority of 16,121.

Quality checks for the 5 LLGs concluded this evening at the Finschhafen Technical School hall, where it was confirmed that Paita was far ahead with a margin of 19,347 votes.

Running behind was Theo Zurenuoc with 4,157 votes.

In third place was Boas Sengi Qosec with 2,114 votes, fourth was Richard Peter Mare with 656 votes, and fifth place was Wamung Waliong with 400 votes.

Paita was not in Finschhafen when the Returning Officer, Fredah Joses, made the declaration at 7pm.

PMGH tighten up security

A statement from the CEO’s office said all vehicles and persons entering the hospital premises gates will be searched for weapons.

A metal detector search is in place for anyone entering the Emergency Department, CED, Cons clinic and all entry points to the hospital.

CEO Dr Paki Molumi said there will be guards manning the gates and guardians will not be allowed entry as well.

Meanwhile, medical staff on duty will be picked up and dropped off to and from work.