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By HARLYNE JOKU
HUMAN rights advocacy lawyer Powes Parkop has maintained a consistent
lead for the National Capital District Regional seat since counting
started on Tuesday.
At 5pm yesterday on Count 26, independent candidate Mr Parkop was
leading with 7,054 votes, leaving incumbent NCD Governor and National
Alliance man Wari Vele behind with 3,500 and New Generation Party’s
James Melengepa with 2,084 votes.
Twenty-six boxes have been counted so far with 35 more to go.
For Port Moresby North-East, John Kaupa is in the lead with 2,880 votes
on count 19, sitting MP Casper Wollom with 840 and Andrew Mald with 765.
Provincial returning officer Peter Malifeope said the counting process
for both NCD Regional and Port Moresby North-East had been affected by
the continuous power black- out.
Mr Malifeope and Moresby North-East returning officer Cyril Ritau both
confirmed that counting was suspended at 12.30am yesterday because the
back-up generator used by the PNG Sports Commission could not cater for
the whole venue at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
Polling officials on night shift were sent home as early as 3am.
After 6pm yesterday, Mr Malifeope confirmed that counting was suspended
for Port Moresby North-East electorate while NCD Regional had been moved
forward to this morning.
Mr Malifeope said he had organised a small generator to provide lighting
for half the stadium venue, which could only cater for NCD Regional
count.
“The other part of the stadium, where the Port Moresby North-East
counting is held, was in darkness so counting had been suspended,” Mr
Malifeope said.
“The power blackout had slowed down the counting process,” he admitted
Mr Malifeope urged the PNG Power Workers Union to grow up and be
responsible instead of holding the 250,000 people of NCD at ransom by
their actions.
 
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