Counting

After count 2, incumbent Lae MP John Rosso racked up another 303 votes from Hengali ward 1, putting him far ahead with 982 votes. Following behind was PNC candidate, Fabian Peter, with 207 votes, Matthew Minape at his heels with 203 votes, Valentine Buri with 58 and Ahi man, Shepherd Way, with 54 votes.

In the regional count, United Labour Party candidate, Kemas Tomala, got 144 votes from ballot box 177, placing him in front with 375 votes. Running behind was former Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge, with 278 votes.

A third of polling stations have been counted after polling day on Wednesday.

At midday SODELPA had an eight percent lead over Frank Bainimarama's FijiFirst, with two thirds of polling stations still to be added to the national tally.

The National Results Centre is entering data as result sheets are transported in from around the country.

Provisional results from the polling stations indicated a slim victory for Mr Bainimarama.

The elections authorities have urged people not to heed false reports a second count is being conducted.

Candidates Jerry Kiwa, Joe Kobol and Ps Bernard Peter, in a separate press conference in Mt Hagen yesterday, said they have wasted a lot of time and effort already in Mendi and they do not want the counting process to be further delayed.

The candidates pointed out that the Southern Highlands Provincial Seat is no different from other provincial seats.

The formal declaration should have been done already but the former Provincial Returning Officer, Jacob Kurap’s manner in conducting the counting, was not right by declaring the incumbent Governor William Powi.

After exclusion 37 today, William Gogl Onglo secured 15,499 votes, surpassing the absolute majority of 14,150.

The runner-up was Wagi Merimba with 12,798 votes.

William Gogl Onglo was officially declared by the Returning Officer at 2:45pm this afternoon.

Assistant election manager NCD, Bale Kavanamur, revealed this to Loop PNG today.

Counting will soon resume for the seat at the Rita Flynn Indoor Complex.

After exclusion 13, 25 candidates remain in the race.

The top five are as follows:

1. Powes Parkop (SDP) - 39,512

2. Andy Bawa (IND) - 19,494

3. Michael Kandiu (IND) - 16,332

4. Robert Agen (IND) - 8,209

5. Paul Paraka (GRUF) - 6,272

Counting in Kandep was suspended over the weekend after violence erupted in Wabag between supporters of two candidates contesting the Kandep seat.

The violence resulted in the deaths of two police officers deployed to the area as Election Security personal who were intervening to stop the clashes.

Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, said he is expecting a report from the Police Commissioner, Gary Baki, who is presently on the ground.

Kairuku Hiri returning officer Tabu Vaira confirmed that the elimination process will begin this afternoon.

After quality checks, incumbent Member and National Alliance candidate Peter Isoaimo had the highest progressive total with 13,238 votes.

Results for the top five after quality checks:

1. Peter Isoaimo (NA): 13 238

2. Paru Aihi (PNC): 10 133

3. Steven John Manai (Pangu): 6927

4. Scott Boio Morata (Indept): 4767

5. Gabriel Nicholas (PPP): 4589

The absolute majority stands at 28,674.

Progressive results are as follows;

1. Powes Parkop (SDP) - 38, 209
2. Andy Bawa (IND)- 19,159
3. Michael Kandiu(IND) - 16,411
4. Robert Agen(IND ) - 8,047
5. Paul Paraka (GRUF) - 5,965

So far, counting is slow but is progressing well.

Officials have returned back from recess and will resume with count 342 shortly.

More updates on Loop PNG.

1. Sir Mekere Morauta - 9,329
2. Joe Tonde-6,586
3. Samuel Boe Lohia - 6,205
4. Honk Kiap - 3,336
5. Michael Malabag - 2,218

Absolute majority stands at 42,425.

Total Allowable votes is 42,487 with 62 exhausted.

Counting for North West has been suspended for the day.

24 candidates are expected to be eliminated from the race after the 24th elimination count later tonight.

3 candidates have been excluded so far, with the 4th exclusion count currently in motion.

This has yet to make a difference with the candidates running in the top 5 category.

However, it is still expected that after the 24th elimination count, numbers of the top 5 candidates are bound to change drastically as more of the other candidates with lower counts are eliminated from the race.