Nawaeb braces for declaration

A DECLARATION for the Nawaeb open seat in Morobe is expected today with eight candidates still in the race
after the 28th elimination round.
Sitting MP and National Alliance strongman, Timothy Bonga, in fourth place so far, has been inching steadily forward.
Bonga collected second and third preference votes during the elimination process and after the 28th exclusion, had gathered 3,794 votes.
Independent candidate Gisuwat Siniwin took over the lead with 4,401 votes from early leader Samson Timson who dropped to second with 4,134.
Kennedy Wenge was third with 3,795.
Counting officials expect four more exclusions before a declaration today.
At the Huon-Gulf counting centre, PNG Party’s Ross Seymour was ahead of former MP Tukape Masani.
Seymour had 7,192 votes with Masani on 4,698 after the ninth exclusion at 6.30pm yesterday. Sitting MP Sasa Zibe was third with 3,166 votes.
The 10th elimination was still in progress late yesterday.
The 50%-plus-one absolute majority for the seat is 15,801 votes. No candidate is anywhere near that.
In the Morobe regional race, Governor Luther Wenge was ahead with 55,242 votes by midday yesterday.
Lawyer Kelly Naru was next with 52,830.
Former Kabwum MP Ginson Saunu was third with 26,322 and Robin Yalambing 23,102.
Quality checks for regional votes for Lae open were still conducted late yesterday.