National Capital District (NCD) counting

COUNTING: NCD’s progressive result – after count 91

​NCD Regional counting on hold

The scrutineers were told to leave the counting venue after their shift ended however, because they were reluctant, they were both kicked out.

Candidates are now raising their concerns about scrutineers being allowed to be at counting venues when the counting process is going on.

They have also petitioned the Electoral Commission earlier to explain why at some instances, scrutineers are not allowed at the counting venue.

They demand that the presiding officers be also available at the venue to present the ballot boxes for counting.

​NCD regional seat counting delayed

This is because the presiding officer of ward 10 (North Waigani/Morata area) needs to verify and confirm the number of ballot boxes from their counting venues before it goes into the counting arena.

Ballot boxes of some of the wards for the regional seat are currently awaiting confirmation from the presiding officers.

This is also to make it easy for counting officials to get straight to counting when the boxes are moved in.

So far, there are only 28 ballot boxes for ward 10 when 30 boxes are expected.

Counting: NCD’s progressive result – after count 28

The count for the regional seat now stands at 28.

Count 29 will be resuming around 12pm today, when all officials, security personnel and scrutineers make their way into the building.

The progressive result as of 9am today:    

Moresby South counting officially begins

The first 16 ballot boxes are currently being presented by presiding and assistant presiding officers.

Moresby South Returning Officer Michael Are and his team aim to complete counting of a total of 96 ballot boxes.

This will be done by counting 16 ballot boxes per shift.

With three shifts per day, counting is expected to be completed within a week.

As at 3:40pm, the first 16 boxes have been presented without any disputes by scrutineers.

More to come.

(The first ballot box being opened)

NCD Regional counting resumes

There was a long recess after count 14 ended at 8.30am today.

Counting was expected to resume straight after the next counting team settled in for their shift at 9am however, it was delayed again.

This was due to confusion among officials and police personnel as to how many scrutineers were allowed in the counting venue.

Count 15 commenced at 3pm.

So far, the total progressive tally after count 14:

Moresby North-East counting further deferred

This has been confirmed by Moresby North-East returning officer, Thomas Rango.

Rango said this is because officials are yet to be paid their allowances.

He said he is sorting out this issue with the PNG Electoral Commission, which should be fixed by this afternoon.

He said counting officials will also be having their training tomorrow morning and counting for North-East will start at 12pm at the Sir John Guise indoor complex.

Containers containing the ballot boxes are already at the venue and will be opened tomorrow for counting to begin.

Moresby South counting after lunch

Moresby South Returning Officer, Michael Are, just informed Loop PNG that counting should begin at 1pm – the latest.

Before speaking to Loop PNG, Are arrived with boxes of stationery for the counting officials.

In response to some of the formalities which counting officials say need to take place, Are said that will be done as soon as preparations for counting are done.

He added the mock counting was conducted yesterday.

Counting officials remain outside.

Moresby South counting yet to begin

Despite reports that counting would begin this morning, this has not yet eventuated.

As it has been during the week, counting officials have turned up early only to be told to wait.

Meanwhile, inside, Electoral Commission staff are preparing the venue.

A counting official told Loop PNG that preparations should have been done yesterday and not today.

The official also said they don't expect counting to begin today because many formalities before the official counting have not taken place yet. One of them includes the mock counting exercise.

Counting: Moresby North-East yet to start

Police at the scene said counting has been scheduled for today but officials are yet to arrive.

At 11am, the venue seems to be empty.

According to reports, Moresby North-West is experiencing the same issue.

Counting will start once they arrive.

More updates to follow on Loop PNG