NCD Regional seat

NCD which was one of the first province to poll in the first week of July is yet to declare a winner for the regional seat.

Election Manager Kila Ralai refused to comment on the delay of counting for the Regional seat today after this newsroom visited the Rita Flynn-counting venue.

Counting officials were seen moving into the Rita-Flynn counting centre at 3pm.

It is understood counting is still in its quality check stage.

Outside the Rita Flynn gate, a notice issued by Mr. Ralai to all scrutineers and counting officials read;

Boio Brand Morata completed his nominations requirements in the presence of the NCD Election Manager and Returning Officer, Kila Ralia, witnessed by his family, fellow indigenous landowners and longtime settlers of National Capital District.

Morata’s nomination at 2pm today was preceded by the nomination of former Minister for Health and HIV and former member for Moresby Northwest, Michael Malabag, who nominated at 11am.  The nomination brings the total candidates nominated for NCD Regional seat to 22.

Wari Vele will run the race under the banner of the People’s Labor Party, of which Madang Governor Peter Yama is party leader.
 
Vele announced this on Monday, 18th April to Motuan villagers of Vabukori, Tainaladeara, Kila Police Barracks and Gabutu in the Moresby South Electorate, who gathered at Taikone Village.
Vele addressed the people at the invitation of Taikone villagers, who want a change in leadership for several reasons including prolonged water issues that have not been resolved.
 

On June 15 the National Court dismissed the petition Kandiu filed, challenging Powes Parkop’s win as NCD Regional MP.

The petition was found to be incompetent, and that the grounds presented would not affect the result of the election regardless.

He filed an application in the Supreme Court, seeking leave to review that decision of June 15.

11 grounds seeking leave to review that decision were presented before Justice Oagile Key Dinake, who sat as a Singe Supreme Court judge.

The Election petition trial has been set for hearing for the whole month of June, commencing June 1, 2018.

The two petitions combined for hearing were filed by Michal Kandiu and Andy Bawa, on grounds of errors and omission against the Electoral Commission during the polling at different locations, counting and scrutiny process.

Bawa and Kandiu’s lawyers proposed the consolidation of the petitions which was allowed and ordered accordingly by the court.

The 12 candidates who have filed a proceeding in the National Court on July 13, 2017 returned to court today.

Their lawyer, Paul Othas told the court that they are pursuing the case because there are allegations of polling officials and scrutineers being excluded from the counting process currently underway at the Rita Flynn courts.  

Count 74 will start shorty as the next group of counters make their way to sign in and take their seats tonight.

Progressive results as of 8pm tonight are as follows;

Powes Parkop is still in the lead with 7, 852 votes,  Andy Bawa is second placed with 3, 739 votes followed by Michael Kandiu on 3,548 votes.

Running in fourth place is Babani Ono Maraga with 1,467 votes followed by Mairi Gaigo Homosi at 1, 447 votes in fifth place.

Meantime, count 74 is now in motion and results will be posted at a later update.

Stay tuned to more updates on Loop PNG.

Jimmy made this call following the issue with scrutineers last night, which delayed counting for four hours.

Scrutineers raised issues regarding the presiding officer not present at the counting venue.

Jimmy told Loop PNG that there were also other minor unnecessary issues raised by scrutineers during the counting process that wasted counting time.

He explained that by law, scrutineers are not allowed to touch ballot papers. By law, scrutineers who try to disturb the counting process can be removed from the venue.