Counting Period

He says it is expected that nine boxes will be counted today due to the slow pace experienced in the past few days.

From situation faced yesterday with four candidates requesting quality check, the RO believes there will be good understanding as counting progresses.

Yesterday, 14^th July, PRO Joap Voivoi advised that a full quality check was conducted on all 6 ballot boxes for all the nine candidates from 11am to 6pm, leaving candidates and scrutineers satisfied with this process.

He took an early lead with 3393 followed by PNC candidate, Francis Marus on 2086 and PNG Party candidate Joseph Taubasa Junior on third place with 936 votes.

In the Regional count after count 6, former top cop Gari Baki leads with 2751 votes, followed by Liberal party candidate Willie Edo on 2345 and third is sitting Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel with 1325 votes

After count six in the Talasea Open, Pangu Candidate John Tuka is on 1015, with People’s Party candidate Freddie Reu Kumai on second spot with 860 votes and ULP candidate Blaise Dau running on third with 540.

Province Election Manager, Steven Kaupa has confirmed that with this newsroom.

He explained that the delay was with the transporting of ballot boxes from some parts of Okapa and Oburawonenara not reaching the counting centre yet.

Kaupa said these are remote areas only accessible by chopper. 

However, he is optimistic that all the ballot boxes will be transported to the counting centre at the National Sports Institute this weekend.

KOKOPO OPEN ELECTORATE

1. Ereman Tobaining Jnr (PNC) – 2242
2. Koment Malari (PFP) – 1905
3. Emil Tammur (PANGU) – 1460
4. Steven Magil (PAP) – 1071
5. Ekonia Walom (NA) – 1017

POMIO OPEN ELECTORATE

1. Benedict Tati (NA) – 3523
2. Elias Kapavore (PNC) – 3388
3. Paul Tiensten (INDEPENDENT) – 2621
4. William Koiatuna (Liberal) – 336
5. Peter Kaiopuna (New Generation) – 225

GAZELLE OPEN ELECTORATE

The counting was deferred earlier due to administrative matters that were being sorted for counting, this included the debriefing of counting officials.

The scrutineers present were in agreement to have these matters resolved and addressed to ensure no further disruptions concerning counting.

The election officials have confirmed that once counting commences, it will continue over the weekend starting from 8:00am and ending at 5:00 pm daily.

The wards covered this morning were:

• Raluan No.1
• Raluan No.2
• Tavana
• Valaur
• Tavui No.3 (Clifton resettlement)

There have been changes in counting with quality checks being conducted again from Count 1 to 6. The slight changes has affected the progressive total. After the checks, the numbers will be confirmed.

Meanwhile, in the other Open seats in East New Britain Province, as of 11.35am today, the progressive total are as follows:

East New Britain Regional

Michael Marum - 2300

Scrutineers of various candidates have been camping in front of the Kimbe Police Station where the ballot boxes are stored that were taken to the counting venue at the white house yesterday, 13th July.

However, Provincial Election Steering Committee Chairman, Robert Dau dismissed the scrutineers’ claims as just rumours.

Schnaubelt is a member of the National Alliance party.

Also after count one, People’s Progress Party candidate Bryron Chan received 139 votes followed by Saet James with 82. Independent female candidate Nakmai Grace collected 82 votes followed by Timothy Amino with 51.

After Count Four of the Namatanai Open Seat, the votes are as follows:

1. Walter David Schnaubelt  - 919
2. James Byron Chan - 499
3. James Yaspot Saet - 240
4. John Merebo - 169
5. Grace R. Nakamai - 90

Box one, from ward 1, Leron-Wantoat, concluded with incumbent MP, Koni Iguan, starting out in front with 521 votes.

Iguan, who is a United Labour Party candidate, is followed by Gengewe Gangik on 247 votes, Maxwell Chiru with 31, Paul Ezekiel with 8 votes and Tom Francis with 5 votes.

Results for count 1 for regional are:

Ulapapia said 48 teams for Wewak are ready for counting, Maprik counting hopefully begins tomorrow, Wosera-Gawi expects the last team to return to their hub today, Ambunti-Drekikir will extract its last teams by today and the expect all teams for Yangoru-Saussia to return today.

He said East Sepik plans to start counting on Thursday 14 July.

PRO Ulapapia also mentioned that a court injunction was taken out by scrutineers and candidates for Wewak Open, against the decision of the Wewak Open Returning Officer’s choice of venue for counting.