O’Neill storms away to take 23,000 lead

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The National, Wednesday July 4th, 2012

By JEFFREY ELAPA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill is likely to reach the 50%- plus-one mark after today’s count.
As of count 57, O’Neill was well ahead of the other seven candidates by 23,368 votes. His next rival Raphael Noipo was on 3,780, followed by Eke Lama on 3,735 and Philip Rambu on 1,801.
 As it is, O’Neill has been collecting more than 90% of all the votes in each ballot box, an indication that O’Neill is likely to be declared the winner on the first count.
Although another 52 boxes are yet to be counted, O’Neill is likely to reach the 50%-plus-one votes from a total of 60,000 votes.
But returning officer Michael Ariando said although he was likely to collect the majority votes, he could not be declared until all the remaining ballot boxes had been counted.
His counting team is expected to count another 20 ballot boxes today, leaving another 30 to be counted tomorrow and Thursday.
A declaration of the winner is expected by Friday.
He said counting was progressing very well.
In the regional seat, People’s National Congress man William Powi is also leading the race with 8,763 votes after count 41. But 81 ballot boxes containing more than 80,000 votes have been disputed on allegation of irregular practices and hijacking.
He is followed by Joseph Kobol on 4,305,  lawyer Vincent Mirupasi on 3,741 and university student Sylvester Harry Komba on 3,119.
For the Mendi open, sitting member Pastor Isaac Joseph was leading with 6,044, followed by Terry Gaso on 5,354, Phillipus Maso Hapon on 4,614 and De Kewano on 4,188 after 24 ballot boxes were counted.
For the Imbonggu open electorate, lawyer Pila Niningi was leading with 4,021, Steven Temo on 2,277 and sitting MP Francis Awesa on 1,867.
For Kagua-Erave, sitting MP James Lagea was leading with 4,906 after 29 boxes were counted, followed by Albert  Noria with 2,951.