East New Britain counting on track

 By ELIZABETH VUVU

EAST New Britain has declared two president-elects for two local level governments and mayors for Kokopo and Rabaul, while most local level governments are in their elimination processes.

In Pomio, polling was delayed because of bad weather in the remote locations.

In the Gazelle district, the first president declared on Sunday was Bernard Kulap, who was re-elected in the Lassul Baining LLG. 

In Rabaul district, the island community of Watom was the second to have their new president Joseph Paluka declared followed by Rabaul Urban LLG, which saw mayor Changol Manuai re-elected.

In the Kokopo district, Diuvia Kopman was declared the new town mayor for Kokopo Urban LLG yesterday. 

The seat was vacant since last year’s general elections when Albert Buanga resigned to contest that election. 

Rabaul district now has 29 wards councillors in place.

In Balanataman LLG, six of the 12 wards have declared councillors and Watom has five out of six new councillors elected into office.

In the Rabaul Urban LLG, most of the councillors have  retained their seats except for four out of the 11 wards, which now have new councillors.

In the Kombiu LLG, 12 out of 13 councillors  are newcomers.

Rabaul urban LLG assistant returning officer Freddy Lemeki said many wards in the district had two candidates contesting and that had created confusion among voters who were accustomed to having three preferences.