Scrutineers stop Goilala counting

COUNTING for Goilala open in Central, came to a halt yesterday after scutineers claimed two ballot boxes had been tampered with.
Election manager Phillip Ava is hoping quality checks can be made by early this morning so they can quickly go into the elimination process.
“I’m still awaiting a lawyer from the Electoral Commission to decide on the two disputed boxes.
“They have to decide on these boxes,” he said.
The boxes that have been disputed are from Murray Bay in the Guwari Local Level Government area and from the Ivani ward in Tapini.
After count 37, Daniel Mona was leading with 1,822 votes, followed by sitting member Mathew Poiya on 1,730 and Alex Hoem Robert with 1,228.
Kairuku-Hiri open has completed its primary counts and started with quality checks after lunch yesterday.
Returning officer Edward Kila is hoping they can complete quality checks today.
He said they would begin the elimination counts over the weekend and were hopeful to declare a winner next week.