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This morning, Thomas Opa was declared the new member-elect for Kerema Open. 
Both Eoe and Opa past the absolute majority in their respective seats to come home. 

Eoe retained his seat after going past the absolute majority of 8,980, he finished with 9,980 votes ahead of rival Lester Sauka who closed in with 7,773 votes.

Opa remained leader since Day 1 of counting and finished off comfortably, when he reached the absolute majority on Exclusion 7, with 16,212 to be declared Kerema’s new member elect. 

Their win adds numbers to PANGU Pati.

Aia finished on top with 9,297 votes and coming second was Alex Hoem Robert with 5,234 votes.

Returning Officer for Goilala Open, Theodore Maia, said the district was the last to begin counting but second in the province to proceed in declaration.

He said that the new member must remember his people and pick up from the shortfalls faced from previous years.

Aia took the stage and signed the writs after RO Maia had acknowledged the previous sitting member, late William Samb and dedicating the declaration to him.

The results for Rigo is:

1. Turai Elemi (NA) - 5,840 votes

2. Ano Pala (PANGU Pati) – 5,646 votes

3. Biari Cibby Ubuna (IND) – 3,907 votes

4. Vikki Mossine (FPNG) – 3,200 votes

5. Lekwa Gure (ULP) – 3,192

Rigo Open is now in the 27^th Exclusion with Gomara Gorua (PRP) eliminated.

Meanwhile, Abau Open this morning were on their 6^th elimination of Kulu Wari (IND). Running first in the ladder is Sir Puka Temu.

1. Sir Puka Temu (ODP) – 9,510 votes.

“Goilala Open electorate is now in their fourth last elimination and should give the decider. This morning three candidates remain out of the 38 candidates for the open seat,” he said. 

Taking the lead is PANGU Pati candidate: 

1. Casmiro Aia with 8,517. 
2. Alex Hoem Robert (URP) – 5,136 votes
3. Francis Javia (PNC) – 4,663 votes.

 “By this afternoon around 3-4pm we should declare the new member for Goilala Open,” said Maia. 

William Marabu, candidate for People’s First Party, was excluded and his votes distributed.

After the 15^th exclusion, the top five candidates are as follows;

1.  Turai Elemi (NA) - 5,384 votes.
2.  Ano Pala (PANGU Pati) – 5,155
3.  Biari Cibby Ubuna (IND) – 3,410
4.  Lekwa Gure (ULP) – 2,777
5.  Vikki Mossine (FPNG) – 2,657

The absolute majority is at 18,336 votes. 

The creature was spotted on the coast of the island on May 3 this year.

Conservationist and biologist Forrest Galante recently shared the rare footage of this unusual species for Discovery Channel's new Shark Week episode called "Island of the Walking Sharks. He had travelled to the coral reefs of the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to investigate rumors of a new species of walking shark.

PANGU candidate, Thomas Opa still maintains lead since Day 1 and sits comfortable on top with over 12,000 votes.

The progressive tally after Kaintiba LLG Count 47/47:

Despite the good progress, Sinesine Yongomulg counting centre discovered 317 unsigned ballot papers earmarked for ward 11 in Ku modern village, Yongomulg  LLG.
All the scrutineers present at the counting centre had agreed that all ballot papers be destroyed. 

The ballot papers were burnt in front of Sinesine Yongomulg counting centre, witnessed by counting officials, security personnel, security guards and media observers. 

Election manager, Tom Suine said they had no choice but follow the wishes of candidates and their scrutineers to burn the ballot papers.