|
NEW Generation Party candidate Yakali
Malipu has shot to a comfortable lead in the race for the Wabag open
seat at the suspension of counting yesterday afternoon.
After count 12, Mr Malipu had polled 3,099 votes, followed by sitting
Member Sam Abal on 2,375 votes.
In third place is Maso Samai on 1,902 votes, followed by lawyer Pato
Potane on 1,608 and Pangu Pati’s Daniel Kapi on 1,296 votes.
In the race for the regional seat, Governor Peter Ipatas is leading with
4,991 votes, followed by Poko Kandapaki on 2,565 votes and New
Generation Party’s Fr Paul Kanda on 1,143 votes.
Counting of votes for the Wapenamanda and Lagaip-Porgera Open seats
began yesterday, but no results were made available.
Counting of votes for the Kandep and Kompiam-Ambum electorate has not
started yet.
Counting of votes is taking place at the Wabag Primary School, and
progressive results are being posted on a big score board in town for
the public to follow.
Meanwhile, police in the province have reported that six ballot papers
have gone missing since polling began last week.
Provincial police commander Teddy Tei said three boxes were destroyed
while three were in the hands of supporters of candidates who hijacked
them.
He said one box containing votes was missing in Paiela while two had
gone missing in Mulitaka, both in the Lagaip-Porgera district.
Mr Tei said his men were on the alert for these boxes, in case they were
“sneaked into the counting room”.
 
|
