Former health worker is new Kewabi president

 By PETER ESOP WARI

A FORMER health worker in the Ialibu-Pangia district, Southern Highlands, has been declared the new Kewabi LLG president.

Francis Wilipa was declared by provincial election manager David Wakias after polling 4,773 votes, while runner-up Joe Blow scored 3,933 votes.

Wakias also declared sitting Ialibu Urban mayor Jacob Iki after he polled 2,014 votes to beat his closest rival Kepo Rombane who polled 1,601 votes. 

Wakias told a large crowd at the Ialibu district office counting venue that despite many problems, he was happy that it ended successfully and without any disturbance.

He said supporters and candidates had remained calm during the counting and declarations.

“Such behaviour and respect of the law must prevail. This is a community-based election and what you did made me happy,” he said.

The declarations were also witnessed by Ialibu-Pangia district administrator Ron Yamuna and police security coordinator Chief Insp Albert Koru.

Koru thanked the Ialibu district administration for using their facilities during the counting.

Meanwhile, two ballot boxes belonging to the Kagua Central LLG were burnt to ashes by angry supporters before going into the second count.