Power woes force Northern to suspend eliminations

PRIMARY counting for the Northern region and its two electorates have been completed but a power blackout yesterday forced elimination counting to be suspended for half of the day.
Elections manager Peter Malaifeope said PNG Power had told him that the disruption was of emergency work.
“I was assured power will be restored and that’s good news because we can resume elimination counting for the three seats.”
He said there were some disputed boxes for Iijivitari (two) and 24 allegedly tampered ones from Afore.
Returning officer Paul Kamaini would make a decision this week for those boxes to be counted.
In the Sohe open, female candidate Delilah Gore, is leading with 2,832 votes, followed by sitting MP Anthony Nene on 2,518 and Henry Amuli with 1,723.
In the Iijivitari open, sitting MP David Arore is leading with 4,483, followed by John Warisan on 2,563 and George King on 2,052.
In the regional race, Gary Juffa is leading with 6,140 votes, followed by Robert Ralewa with 3,238 and Palinus Uhena 3,201.
Malaifeope said he hopes to declare the winner by end of the week.