Namah takes lead

BELDEN Namah has finally surged past his leading rival in the Vanimo-Green River open seat as of 6am yesterday.
After count 58 yesterday afternoon, the Deputy Prime Minister had secured 3,646 votes while Green River farmer Willie Obow Inaru had 3,247 votes.
A former PNGDF chef from Amanab, Tradggy Nasiai Waramin remained third with 2,200.
Former Telikom PNG board chairman Dr Florian Gubon scored some good ballots and is running fifth with 968 votes.
The only female candidate, Do­rothy Tekwie, has so far polled 766 votes.
There are 13 more ballot boxes from the Vanimo Green River open to be counted before all primary votes are completed.
 These ballot boxes would be from Namah’s area of Bewani.
In the Nuku electorate, Pangu Pati leader, Andrew Kumbakor, lost his seat after representing the people of Nuku for the last 15 years.
National Alliance candidate Joe Sungi polled 9,056 votes after final elimination.
He was declared by returning officer Joe Aflatawa at 5.10pm yesterday.
Andrew Kumbakor polled 8713 votes.
“I can only say congratulations to the new member,” Kumbakor said. “I have done what I can.”
He urged the people of Nuku to work with Sungi because the electorate was isolated and remote and was challenging to bring services there.
Kumbakor said he would remain a member of Pangu Pati to reform it.
The Telefomin electorate has gone to count 16 with 10 more ballot boxes to go.
Sitting member of the PNG Party, Peter Iwei, was leading with 3,001 votes, followed closely by Solan Mirisin on 2,887.
National Alliance candidate and former Telefomin MP, Atimeng Buhupe, was third with 2,391.