EHP returning officer sidelined

A RETURNING officer was sidelined and a disputed box set aside as counting of primary votes in Eastern Highlands province ended yesterday.
Eastern Highlands provincial elections manager Alwyn Jimmy sidelined Okapa returning officer Trexy Anakime following complaints from candidates over what they cited as improper conduct during the elections.
The assistant returning officer for West Okapa local level government, John Nossi, is now acting in place of Anakime.
One of the two disputed boxes from Goroka district was counted and the other was set aside.
Daulo district was the first to go into the elimination process with seven candidates dropping out so far.
Former fisheries minister Ron Ganarafo is leading with 3,395 votes while Peoples Party candidate Ikime Gorosahu is running second with 3,395 votes.
Local businessman Pogia Gate is third with 2,223 votes.
Former Goroka MP and police minister Bire Kimisopa polled strongly in the final counts to move into second place in the Goroka race with 4,431 votes.
PNG Party candidate Tom Nunue maintains his lead with 4,777 votes while incumbent MP Thompson Harokaqveh is in the third place with 3,981 votes.
In the Unggai-Bena seat race, defending MP Benny Allan maintains a commanding lead with 11,050 votes followed by PNG Party man Winchlee Oibottee with 4,811 votes and Tella B Loie on 2,390 votes.
Jeffery Kuave is leading the Lufa seat race with 3,696 votes while PNC candidate Eddie Mike is second with 2,668 votes with Simo Kilepa is third on 2,449 votes.
In the Okapa race, Isaac Waigavaro is leading with 6,397 votes, incumbent MP Bonny Oveyara, has 3,459 votes.