Kapris leads in Maprik

By GABRIEL FITO
PEOPLES Action Party leader Gabriel Kapris has taken a handy lead after counting for East Sepik’s Maprik open seat began yesterday.
Counting for Wewak, Yangoru-Saussia, Ambunti-Dreikikir and Wosera-Gawi will begin today and Angoram tomorrow.
After the first day of counting, Kapris had 944 votes, National Alliance candidate and businessman, John Simon, was on 114 with Harrison Bein third on 41.
Maprik district returning officer Godfried Sokamia said counting for the 36 ballot boxes would be done only during the day from 8am-6pm.
A total of 14 candidates including Pangu Pati strongman, Sir Pita Lus, are contesting the Maprik open seat.
In the Wewak open electorate, counting was deferred to this afternoon to allow a polling team that withdrew from taking votes at Urip village, Dagua, last Friday when a village councillor disrupted polling, to return and complete polling this morning.
District returning officer Ricky Wobar said counting of ballots for Wewak would be at the Divine Word University’s Kaindi campus.
Counting officials will work in two shifts from 9am-3pm and 4pm-10pm.
Counting for Yangoru-Saussia will be the Wewak golf club after the Defence Force declined to allow Moem barracks to be used.
District returning officer David Tobena said counting would be done during daytime only on the weekend although it could be extended to Monday night depending on how fast counting progressed.
Ambunti-Dreikikir and Wosera-Gawi electorates in Central Sepik will also commence counting today.
Counting for Ambunti-Dreikikir will be held at the Ambunti LLG Chamber and ballots for Wosera-Gawi will be counted at the Maprik Women’s Centre.