Pangu

Prime Minister and Party leader, James Marape announced the election of Mrs Singin and other party executives after the convention.

Mrs Singin from Boana in Morobe Province replaces Patrick Pundao. The Prime Minister thanked Mr Pundao for his service to PANGU over the last seven years.

He also announced the election of Louisah Hosea as female vice-President, Sama Auro as male vice-president and Joe Tep as church representative.

“One of the key outcomes of today was the historical election of Ms Erigeri Singin as our National President of PANGU Pati.

Economic liberation is one of the main agendas for this re-grouped party.

Former PNC members who resigned from the party, led by James Marape, want to see economic liberation and for landowners to have more say over their resources.

“This is an opportunity for a young group of leaders to embrace the past, preparing a nation for life beyond 50 years of a nation,” Marape said.

The MPs include former Prime Minister and Moresby North-West MP, Mekere Morauta, Central Province Governor Robert Agarobe, Rigo MP Lekwa Gure, Wabag MP Dr Lino Tom and South Fly MP Sekie Agisa.

In a media conference in Port Moresby, PANGU Leader Sam Basil announced the addition of the five MPs.

Basil said as a major party in the Opposition, they will move to consolidate their political priorities and pathway. This is mainly focused in agriculture, women and family, church partnership, decentralisation, economic reforms, law and justice, Bougainville and governance.

After the 19th exclusion of Bernard Koae, Isoaimo is ahead on 14 357 votes.

1647 votes from Koae were distributed among the 8 remaining candidates.

Results for the top five after elimination 19:

1. Peter Isoaimo (NA): 14, 357

2. Paru Aihi (PNC): 11, 108

3. Steven John Manai (Pangu): 7,362

4. Scott Boio Morata (Indept): 5,510

5. Gabriel Nicholas (PPP): 5,218

The absolute majority now stands at 27,992.

The total votes distributed so far is 6526 and the total exhausted votes is 1,364.

Basil said the confirmed listing of all 82 candidates to run under the party banner had already been submitted to the Register of Political Parties and PNG Electoral Commission.

But there are some candidates throughout the country not on the official list submitted by the General Secretary, Morris Tovebae on 17 May.

A good example is in East Sepik Province, where two candidates contesting for the Regional Seat have their posters stating that they were endorsed by Pangu Party.

Speaking at Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s 80^th birthday celebrations in Wewak, East Sepik Province last weekend, Pruaitch said, it is about time Sir Michael’s current and former parties get together and work as one to carry on Sir Michael’s legacy.

Pruaitch is currently the leader of the National Alliance Party of which Sir Michael was part of.