People decide outcome, says election official

By ZACHERY PER
THE outcome of the general election is decided by the people, not officials, says Eastern Highlands provincial elections manager Jimmy Alwyn.
He pointed this out during declarations of winners in Goroka yesterday.
He said electoral officials were only facilitating the electoral process to ensure it was strictly followed.
Alwyn said any allegations of foul play should not be aimed at the officials because the people had actually gone to the polls and marked their ballot papers.
Eastern Highlands provincial election steering committee chairman John Gimisive said the people gave their mandate to the MPs.
Gimisive said MPs should always work together with the public servants to carry out what the people wanted with caution and transparency. People’s Progress Party candidate Johnson Tuke was declared winner for the Kainantu seat race.
He polled 9,955 votes to beat his nearest rival Ovo Buni Kako on 7,198 votes.
Kainantu returning officer George Mangiwan made the declaration following the exclusion of sitting MP Sailon Beseo at around 2.30pm.
Another candidate also declared yesterday was Mehhra Minnie Kipefa, a Star Alliance Party man with 18,968 votes.
PNG Party strongman and sitting MP John Boito trailed in second spot with 15,605 votes.
Unggai-Bena MP Benny Allan retained his seat while Country Party candidate Jeffrey Kuave won the Lufa seat.
Other seats for Daulo, Okapa, Henganofi, Goroka and Eastern Highlands provincial will be declared today.