Muthuvel credits win to voters

West New Britain governor-elect Sasindran Muthuvel thanked the people for their confidence and trust in what he described as an unpredictable race.
He yesterday said: “I was declared in what was a very close and unpredictable race to the final count.
“It hasn’t been this tough since 2012 when I first contested but I thank my ever loyal team, volunteers, coordinators and supporters for sticking through to the very end regardless of the negativity.
“This campaign wasn’t easy, and with due credit to the runner-up, the results could have gone either way as it was highly unpredictable.
“I had doubts in my mind and left the final result in the hands of the good Lord as He only judges us based on our true intentions and human beings judge on our words and actions.
“So I believe the will of God spoke through our people’s minds and hearts.” He said this campaign had a lot of negativity and many were uncomfortable to vote for him in fear of being victimised.
“But in spite of the negativity and the messages of ‘noken votim foreigner (don’t vote for a foreigner)’ ‘noken votim India (don’t vote the Indian)’ ‘em I no wan lotu (he doesn’t belong to our Christian faith)’, the will of the people has spoken and it is time to serve my mandated duty regardless of political affiliation.
“You may realise in this campaign, I was not as active on social media as I kept my campaign based on what I have delivered and spoke to voters directly.”
“I have no hard feelings towards any of my fellow candidates and only ask that we all work together, moving forward to deliver for our province and rural people. In Gandhi’s words, ‘an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind’.”

Parkop welcomes Central Bougainville MP

LEADER of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and incumbent Governor for National Capital District Powes Parkop has acknowledged the people of Central Bougainville for electing Fr Simon Dumarinu.
A Catholic priest for the past 28 years with Society of Mary, he was first elected as Member for Central Bougainville in General Election 2017 (GE17), however, after a court mandated recount, he lost by a difference of eight votes to former MP late Sam Akoitai.
“As a man of God, serving the church, he accepted that small difference, humbled himself and has been waiting patiently up till now,” said Parkop.
“So I am thankful to the people of Central Bougainville for again having confidence in Fr Simon and in our party to have given him a second chance to serve Central Bougainville, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and also the country and our people,” he said.
Fr Dumarinu was declared last Thursday, polling 12,263 votes, exceeding the absolute majority of 12,210.
Following in second was Liberal Party candidate and former member Jimmy Miringtoro on 7,814 votes and third was William Albert Reinard at 4,341 votes.
Following the passing of the late MP Sam Akoitai, Fr Dumarinu told the people upon his declaration that he was ready to work for his people and with the Autonomous Bougainville Government to turn their dream of independence into reality.
“On behalf of SDP, I want to congratulate our member declared on Wednesday, Fr Simon for Bougainville Central,” said Parkop.
There were a total of 17 candidates who contested the Central Bougainville seat, three of which were women, all of whom were independent.

ENB praised for safe election

EAST New Britain returning officer Joap Voivoi has praised the people for ensuring a free, fair and safe election.
He said that people had made it their responsibility to abide by the rule of law.
“Our police personnel were out-numbered by the people,” Voivoi told The National.
“People have shown maturity and the true colour of East New Britain to show respect, maintain peace and let the election process continue.
“This (orderly behaviour) happened in all four districts – Kokopo, Rabaul, Gazelle and Pomio and also the regional seat.”
Provincial police commander Senior Chief Insp Januarius Vosivai said the completion of the election in East New Britain was through the people’s maturity in understanding the process.
He said General Election 2022 (GE22) was a success and commended the additional manpower from the Correctional Service and the PNG Defence Force, for providing support for safety.
In East Sepik, commander Supt Albert Beli also praised his men and help from outside in terms of providing security during GE22.
Apart from receiving three elections petitions for Angoram, Maprik and Yangoru-Saussia over discrepancies, Beli said GE22 was a success in East Sepik.

Marum ‘more than happy’ to join Pangu and Marape

By KELVIN JOE
EAST New Britain (ENB) governor-elect Michael Marum says he is “more than happy” to join the Pangu Pati but for the moment he will remain an independent.
He clarified his position after a meeting with Pangu Pati leader James Marape in Port Moresby on Friday.
“I and my family had association with Prime Minister James Marape for a long time and I will be more than happy to be part of Pangu,” he said.
Marum was accompanied by Bougainville Regional MP Peter Tsiamalili Jnr to Port Moresby.
He thanked Marape for inviting him.
“You all know that I am still an independent candidate,” he said.
“I (will spend) a couple of weeks with my people and after that, I probably will come back.”
Marum said he also had talks with other party leaders following his victory last week.
Marape said Marum contested the election as an independent candidate and “we will give him the respect and space”.
“He still (is an) independent member,” Marape said. “We will not force candidates. They (make) their own choice and decision.”
Marape said Pangu welcomed all elected members of parliament to join the party.
Meanwhile, Marape said his Government would continue to focus on better education, health, infrastructure development, and economy.