Gulf to resume counting

COUNTING for seats in Gulf province will resume today after it was halted by scrutineers yesterday demanding that counting for Kikori and Kerema open should be done together.
Up until count five for Kerema open, independents Ivan Hula (857 votes) and Ken Haroho Pala (655) are leading the pack of 76 candidates.
For the regional seat, People’s Party candidate Paul Kolako Harry is leading with 940 votes, followed by incumbent governor and People’s Progress Party candidate, Haivila Kavo, on 890  votes.
After counts one to five in Kikori open seat on Saturday, independent candidate Soroi Eoe leads with 764 votes, followed by independents Solomon Hakava 673 and Josiah Novulu 511. Sitting MP and T.H.E Party candidate Mark Maipakai has 425 votes.
Counting, which has been peaceful and slow, is expected to resume today at 8am.
Gulf electoral manager Poevare Tore said counting could be speeded up depending on how well scrutineers cooperated.