Ialibu-Pangia

Southern Highlands Provincial Election Manager Philip Wakias confirmed it this morning.

Wakias told Loop PNG there will be no quality checks done as O'Neill's numbers have gone over the absolute majority.

He added that they will finish the remaining 29 ballot boxes today for Ialibu-Pangia before making a declaration.

Ialibu-Pangia has 117 ballot boxes.

Wakias said counting is progressing well despite minor hiccups with funding.

Loop PNG is on the ground in Mendi to witness the declaration of the Prime Minister.

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.

Returning Officer Michael Ariando told Loop PNG that time is against them and will see how it goes in the afternoon.

However, security personnel manning the ballot boxes at Ialibu station will not allow polling to proceed for safety reasons.

Ariando said quality checks of the ballot papers took up their time.

As of 2pm today, the polling officials are still doing checks on the ballot papers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is still at his village, Kauwo Walea, to cast his vote.

More update on TVWAN News tonight.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is in the district to cast his vote.

The polling was scheduled for Friday but was deferred because of late ballot boxes.

It is also understood that candidates have also presented a petition to the Returning Officer and Election Manager on Friday to defer the polls.

More update to come....