Juffa leads as Northern enters third day of counting

National

By HELEN TARAWA
Governor Gary Juffa is leading as counting in Northern enters the third day today.
Provincial election manager Peter Malaifeope told The National yesterday that counting started on Wednesday at about 3pm for the two electorates and the regional seat.
He said after count five in the regional seat yesterday. Juffa was leading with 3712 votes while People’s National Congress Party candidate and Ijivitari MP David Arore was trailing with 610 votes followed by Allan Mesa on 579,  Damien Jajona (Independent) on 433 and Jean Parkop (SDP) on 351.
In the Ijivitari electorate, National Alliance candidate Richard Masere was leading with 3085 followed by John Warisan of United Resources Party on 1762 of United Resources Party and PNC candidate Seldon Deilala on 440.
Malaifeope said Paulinus Uhena (Pangu) was leading the Sohe electorate on 1090, followed by Malcus Esegeta (Ind) with 728, Peter Oresi (PAP) 715, Kibul Bonga (PNGP) 579 and Peter Debora (Ind) 414.
Malaifeope said counting was progressing well except that meal allowances for the officials were not paid quickly, causing a bit of a hiccup.
“We are sorting that issue out now with all payments being made straight into the officials’ accounts,” he said
Malafeope said there were a total of 57 boxes for the regional seat and 31 each for the two electorates.