Southern Highlands officials given clearance to count on

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SOUTHERN Highlands election manager David Wakias has allowed counting to be continued into the night.
Wakias made the announcement due to slowness in counting and said the target was set for before Friday midday.
He said security was beefed up for the night count and the drop-off vehicle was arranged for the counting officials.
“Return of writs is this Friday and we have no time and counting officials and scrutineers must be aware of this,” Wakias  said.
“They must not slow down the counting process as done during the primary count and let quality checks and the elimination process to progress without delay.
“We have to adjust and speed up and presiding officers must be present to clear boxes immediately.”
Wakias said there would be three shifts,  two at daytime and one at night.
He said for the regional seat, two counting booths were added with 30 counting officials each for the three counting centres.
He said for the other four electorates excluding Ialibu-Pangia, counting officials were cut to 30 from 60 as they were into  quality checks and elimination process.
“I urge everyone to work together as we have very limited time,” Wakias said.
Imbonggu started its elimination on Monday and Mendi, Munihu and Kagua- Erave went into quality checks yesterday.
Nipa-Kutubu is yet to reach quality checks despite all boxes being counted and a some boxes damaged and disputed.