Father and daughter win ward seats

 BY ROBERT TIKI

A WOMAN has joined her father in winning a councillor’s seat in Western Highlands.

Elizabeth Elipa was declared new councillor of ward 4 in Hagen Urban by assistant returning officer Tom Kiap on Tuesday after polling 547 votes.

Runner-up Taitus Doa polled 417 votes.

Elizabeth’s father, Koim Wandaki, who was declared councillor for Kiap ward one last week, joined in celebrating his daughter’s victory.

Elizabeth, 40, a mother of four children and grandmother to two, said: “I was lost for words and could not believe it when one of my scrutineers told me that I won the seat.’’

She thanked her supporters and her husband who supported her with resources to win the election.

Wandaki said her daughter’s win was another blessing for their families.

Community leader Anis Moka described Elipa’s victory as a breakthrough for women in the province.