Progress in districts despite delay in allowances

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THE counting of votes in Huon Gulf, Bulolo, and Menyamya in Morobe is progressing well despite concerns over the payment of allowances to counting officials.
Returning officers Brian Mogu (Huon Gulf), Raune Jambert (Bulolo) and Nande Awape (Menyamya) told The National yesterday that counting officials were yet to be paid their allowances for polling and counting.
Awape said in Menyamya, the quality check could be delayed if counting officials stopped work.
He said 28 ballot boxes were completed yesterday and the quality check should begin today.
In Bulolo, Jambert said despite the hiccup over allowances, counting officials were cooperating to ensure all boxes from the six LLGs were completed.
“We are the biggest districts with six LLGs. We want to ensure counting is completed within the given time thus we are concentrating despite the hiccup on allowance payments.”
In Huon Gulf, the officials protested over their allowances yesterday morning. Assistant provincial electoral manager Fredah Joses managed to talk them into returning to work at 11am.
Morobe election manager Simon Soheke said the payment of allowances was delayed because of the late submission of names and bank account details for the new officials.