Pangu Pati surges to victory in Menyamya

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By JUNIOR UKAHA
PANGU Pati candidate Thomas Pelika defeated incumbent MP and PNC candidate Benjamin Philip to win the Menyamya Open seat in Morobe yesterday.
Pelika surged to victory in the 20th elimination after third-placed candidate Jacky Tyotipo was excluded from the race.
Pelika’s victory brings the number of seats won by Pangu in Morobe to three so far.
Party leader Sam Basil retained his Bulolo seat while Koni Iguan won the Markham seat from Paul Isikeil.
Pelika was declared Member-elect for Menyamya at 6pm by returning officer Nande Awape at the Menyamya station.  Pelika polled 12,125 after collecting 650 votes in the 20th elimination.
He polled 4027 votes ahead of Philip who had 8098.
The absolute majority was 10,112.
Counting in the electorate started last Monday.
Pelika could not be reached for comment but Awape said counting was conducted very peacefully and people accepted the results.
“We had a peaceful counting period leading up to the declaration,” he said.
Pangu is also leading in the Morobe regional and Finschafen Open seats.
The Finschafen seat is expected to be declared today.