Morobe regional count reaches elimination round

National

By LARRY ANDREW
THE race for the Morobe regional seat has reached eliminations after the primary count.
At the end of the final quality check, the total number of allowable ballot papers stands at 294,665, with 18,373 exhausted ones, bringing the total to 313,038.
The top five in the hunt for the governorship has Pangu Pati candidate Ginson Saonu leading with 81,491 votes, Luther Wenge (United Resources) is on 48,081, Kemas Tomala (Independent) on 34,379, Kelly Naru (Chistrian Democratic) on 30,998 and Solomon Peter Ikwa (GRUF) on 15,810.
Provincial election manager Simon Soheke told The National that counting officials had continued counting last night and declaration was expected today.
“I am sure that we will deliver this election and declare the governor-elect tomorrow (today), with the writ reaching Port Moresby in the afternoon,” Soheke said. “We are working with transparency and that is required by the scrutineers. I get their views before making my decisions.
“I think we here in Morobe had a peaceful election.”