Gamato returns 105 writs to Government House

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By HELEN TARAWA
ELECTORAL Commissioner Patilias Gamato, pictured, has returned 105 writs to Government House so far, and that number of members-elect are expected to attend the first sitting of Parliament today.
Gamato said five electorates were yet to complete counting.
They are the regional seats in Enga, Chimbu, and Southern Highlands, plus the open seats in Kandep, Enga, and Kundiawa-Gembogl in Eastern Highlands. Gamato said 81 writs were returned last Friday, 19 on Monday and five yesterday. The five writs returned yesterday were for Gumine Open, Nipa-Kuitubu, Usino-Bundi, Jiwaka regional and Kagua-Erave.
The 19 writs returned on Monday were for Moresby North-East, Western provincial, Middle Fly, North Fly, Morobe provincial, Bogia, Middle Ramu, West Sepik provincial, Enga provincial, Lagaip-Pogera, Wabag, Wapenamanda, Obura-Wonenara, Kerowagi, Jimi, Imbonggu, Mendi and Western Highlands provincial and Kairuku Hiri.
Gamato said according to a Supreme Court reference on Monday, the electoral commissioner had the discretion under Section 81(3) of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government Elections to deal with the electorates that were yet to return their writs.
He said counting would continue for the remaining electorates.