Recounting of Chimbu provincial seat nearing end

National

THE recounting of votes for the Chimbu provincial seat is expected to be completed this week, says Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato.
He said as of Monday (April 29) counting officials had completed exclusion number 54. It leaves seven candidates remaining in the contest.
They include petitioner and People’s National Congress Party candidate Noah Kool and Governor Michael Dua of the Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party.
Gamato said the extended deadline given by the court to complete the recount was May 6.
The delay was caused by the confrontation between supporters and a security firm in Goroka.
“We are targeting to complete two to three eliminations per day from here on.”
A total of 284,068 votes are being counted in the court-ordered judicial recount at the National Sport Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
In the 2017 national election, 61 candidates contested the seat.
“Results of the recount will be returned to the Court of Disputed Returns for verification, further hearing and declaration in Court as it is an election petition matter.”