Mekere leads in city’s north-west

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Independent candidate Sir Mekere Morauta continues to maintain a healthy lead in Moresby North-West and is poised to finish on top in the primary counts.
As of count 111 last night, with only two more boxes to go before completion of primary counts, Sir Mekere was leading with 9096 votes.
He has proven to be the “comeback kid” of this election, making a return from retirement in 2012, and a slow start behind early pacesetters such as Hanuabada businessman Lohia Boe Samuel to top the table.
Sir Mekere was followed by Joseph Tonde (6453), Samuel 6100, former deputy city manager Honk Kiap (3229) and incumbent Michael Malabag (2189).
Malabag was hoping to pick up votes at Gerehu and Morata but this did not eventuate.
Counting is likely to go into eliminations today.
Counting at Moresby North-East has been suspended since Saturday morning but is expected to resume today.
After count 64 on Saturday morning, Joetintin Sina Saraga (Christian Democratic Party) leads with  4117 votes followed by John Kaupa (National Party) on 3863, incumbent Labi Amaiu (PNC) 2781, Carl Okuk (Independent) 2405 and Sape Molumi (People’s Movement for Change) polling 1763 votes.
Powes Parkop (Social Democratic Party) continues to lead after count 193 for NCD regional with 22,857 votes followed by Andy Bawa (independent) 11,616 and Michael Kandiu (independent) 8812.