Dr Allan Marat

Upon his arrival, Marat was welcomed by choirs and singsing groups, where he was escorted into the main airport lobby.

He gave his speech at the front of Tokua Airport where crowds of people waited outside to catch a glimpse of the Open member’s arrival.

Marat acknowledged the students who were early to prepare everything for his arrival, adding that education will be one of the top priorities for his district.

Marat was officially declared this afternoon after a total of 14 boxes counted since Sunday for the East New Britain Province.

Rabaul Returning officer, Ekonia Walom whilst speaking on Radio East New Britain had ruled out the possibility of declaring a winner through an absolute majority as the candidate leading the tally count has fallen short by 200 votes.

The required votes for an absolute majority is 6, 520.

Running under the Melanesian Liberal Party, Rabaul sitting MP, Dr. Allan Marat polled a total of 6, 310 votes at the end of the last count.

This was the response by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, to a Question without Notice from the Opposition in yesterday’s (Tuesday) Parliament sitting.

Rabaul MP and Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Dr Allan Marat, asked O’Neill to explain rumours that the NEC had input in the appointments.

“Can you explain the information that is going around that Cabinet has caused gazettal of a list of returning officers for the country, that has never had any input at all from all the stakeholders from the provinces and the Electoral Commission?” queried Marat.