Nape loses seat to Kua

Main Stories, National
Source:

The National, Tuesday July 31st, 2012

By ZACHERY PER
SPEAKER of Parliament Jeffery Nape has lost his Sinasina-Yongomugl seat to National Alliance strongman Kerenga Kua.
Nape, who has been involved in some controversial moments as speaker since last August after Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was ousted, held the seat for the last two terms of parliament.
He polled 6,967 votes, well behind independent candidate Rex Milli Kiagi who finished second with 9,677 votes after distribution of Nape’s preferences.
Kua picked up 707 votes from Nape’s distributions to surge to the top with an unbeatable 10,862 votes.
Kua, who led from the start of the counting, has maintained his lead through to the elimination process.
Parliamentary leader of the PNG Constitutional Democratic Party and incumbent Kundiawa-Gembogl MP, Tobias Kulang, retained his seat yesterday.
Kulang was declared by returning officer James Piapia after he polled 22,505 votes to beat his rival and PNC man, Peter Waieng, who received 18,603 votes.
Geologist Wera Mori was declared MP for Chuave on Sunday after he polled 9,130 votes.
Runner-up David Mori picked up 6,742 votes and sitting MP Jim Nomane was eliminated in the 41st elimination.
Gumine MP Lucas Dekena was the first MP from Chimbu to be declared.
He polled 13,288 votes while runner-up Nick Kuman scored 12,752 votes.
In the race for the Chimbu regional seat, independent candidate Noah Kool is leading with 32,785 votes while incumbent Governor John Garia is second with 20,653 after exclusion 21 yesterday.