National General Elections

Peter, who is a United Resources Party candidate, won with 19,585 votes in the 28^th elimination.

Following behind was former MP, Ross Seymour, on 14,274 votes.

16,629 was the absolute majority, while the exhausted ballot papers totalled 4,798.

When making his speech, Peter said he wants to see Huon Gulf change, adding it has been too long.

United Resource Party leader, William Duma, was on the ground to witness the declaration at the Lae Secondary School hall.

Peter is the second URP candidate to be declared.

Provincial Electoral Manager, Poevare Tore said polling is done for all polling sites except for Turama in Kikori District to polish up on returning the ballot boxes by today.

“Kaintiba boxes have already been extracted yesterday and locked away and we are expecting Kikori boxes to be here today,” he said.

Mr Tore said as soon as the boxes are in town and depending on the set up of the counting area, they are good to go.

A two-day training was conducted by EC kerema with three separate training conducted for Kerema Open, Kikori Open and the provincial seat.

The absolute majority was 18,528, and the elimination process was exercised to declare the winner.
Member-elect Richard Maru now proceeds into the official signing of the writ. 

Meanwhile in the Maprik Open electorate, after exclusion 17 the incumbent, John Simon was leading with 13,446, with Gabriel Kapris closely running behind on 10,024 and Hildeanne Wefin is on third with 6,337 votes. 

Elimination continues with more candidates to be excluded and a winner will be announced soon. 

Returning Officer for Madang Open, Joe Sakipa said the recount was done because counting late yesterday was done without proper lighting. 
 
Counting for Madang Open started yesterday with box one of team one from North Ambenob LLG. 
Sakipa is hoping that they will count four boxes today depending on how fast the counting officials sort out the papers. 
 
He said the tally on the board will be displayed for the public. 

A total of 546 polling teams were dispatched into the six electorates since Monday.

According to Simbu Election Manager Reverand, Tom Siune Kaupa due to the rugged terrain and bad weather, extraction of polling teams dispatched to remote parts of Karamui was delayed.

These areas are only accessible by chopper and airplane.

Mr. Siune said despite the challenges, they completed polling and were ready for counting.

Counting commences today.

“An intending candidate for Kandrian Gloucester, Mr. Stanis Maela was found to be unwell before the start of nominations. He was a man who had the heart for his people of (Kandrian Gloucester) and therefore chose to stand in the elections this year on their behalf. Unfortunately, due to the height of his illness he was unable to continue his election journey and sadly passed on Saturday 17^th July, 2022,” said Manasaplo.

“As a show of respect to this humble man, election officers held a moment of silence for three minutes before resuming counting on Tuesday.”

Furthermore, the officials are having problems with logistical support, outlining that lack of funding is creating a lot of issues.

The Assistant Returning Officer for Nawaeb Urban, Tawas Nasinom, said this election is giving them “a lot of headaches”.

“Election officials will soon be forced to take goods and services on credit from small businesses in the districts they are in,” he stated.

Nasinom further said officials on the ground were not consulted in relation to election costings.

The results are:

1. Jason Peter (URP) – 14,091
2. Ross Seymour (National Alliance) – 11,836
3. John Kasu (Independent) – 4,665 
4. Tukape Masani (United Labour Party) – 3,736

In the progressive tally after count 1. The first five are;
1. Gabriel Nicholas - 167
2. Andrew Moi - 123
3. Keith Iduhu - 129
4. Wilfred F Kaeaka - 50
5. Mathias Jack - 27

Meantime, Kairuku Open began counting ballots on Monday. Counting officials managed to complete count 1 and count 2. 

The candidates handed the petition to the Returning officer Vincent Manukuyasi just before lunch.

Among the points raised, the candidates want live streaming of the counting and also allow the media to cover the event.

A criminal complaint of tempering, illegal voting, and fraud in the ward 1 area has also been submitted to RO Manukuyasi and has been submitted to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Gideon Ikumu.

Candidate Des Yaninen said, “The candidates want full transparency of the counting process.”