Madang Province

Usino-Bundi concludes primary count

Quality check is set to follow.

The top five candidates after count 45:

  1. Jimmy Uguro (PANGU) – 14,026
  2. Vincent Kumura (PP) – 7,063
  3. Philip Ororoku (Ind) – 3,243
  4. Nick Kamuti – 3,197
  5. Allan Aipo – 2,742

Total formal ballot papers: 49,336

Total informal ballot papers: 1,173

Total ballot papers: 50,509

(Source: Team Kumura for 2022)

Madang still counting

This newsroom was informed that Bogia has completed all primary counts and have conducting eliminations since last week. Other districts are still doing primary counts.
 
Most of the counting for the seven seats are being conducted in Madang town, except for Usino Bundi and Bogia.
 
According to security personnel, counting in Bogia and Walium station are running smoothly with declarations expected this week.
 

Students sent home for safety

The school's Deputy Principal Administration Michael Camillus Kavagu, said the schools administration is concerned with the safety of the student while commuting to and from school as counting is underway in the provincial capital, Madang. 

Mr Kavagu said counting for Madang Open is in progress at the school’s Marape Hall.

He said teachers are prepared to teach but are concerned about unconfirmed threats being circulating on social media.

He said Grade 12 students were allowed to come to class because of the Written Expression exam on August 15, 2022.

Security Forces On Alert

Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said he is aware of a text message regarding a security threat. The PPC said he wants the people of Madang not to name or blame anyone, because the message is false.
 
He said police are also investigating the matter to establish who posted the message to bring fear among the people and disrupt normal business. 
 

Candidate's son charged

Madang Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said the arms were discovered after police and soldiers acted on a tip-off. They had had stopped the eight in a vehicle at Walium Station, Usino Bundi District, and found two Winchester shotguns and some live ammunition.

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.

Usino Bundi Open starts Counting

Security Contingent Commander for the district, Inspector Edward Alphonse was at the counting venue. He confirmed that counting will start today as all polling in the district are complete.

He said the counting venue will be at the Opotio Rimoru Hall at Walium Stadium. 

Commander Alphonse said security personnel have been deployed to the counting venue to ensure counting is conducted peacefully.

Counting For Madang Open To Start Soon

Madang open has 67 boxes from the three local level governments. He said MULL has 36 boxes, South Ambenob,20, and North Ambenob has 11 boxes. Counting will start with the first box for North Ambenob LLG. 
 
Sakipa said counting will start late but will make sure the team do their best to make sure counting is completed as soon as possible. He said they would count only five boxes today if time allowed.
 

Rai Coast Highlights Issues

Inspector Yalamu said ballot papers for Astrolobe Bay LLG and Nahu Rawa were already transported to Madang but not yet for other polling sites.

He said transportation to and from Rai Coast is challenging, as the polling sites is only accessible by boat or chopper.

Yalamu said the teams had faced many challenges while travelling on boat, one of them is the current windy weather affecting travel.

He said as of yesterday, some of the teams were heading with the ballot papers to Saidor station had to return due to strong winds.

Polling Teams Stranded

Rai Coast Returning Officer, Peter Onmangen said five polling teams that were supposed to travel to Nayudo LLG to carry out polling last week are still at Saidor station waiting for the chopper. 

He said they are now running out of time and is unsure what he will do with the teams.