SHP elimination process awaits release of ballot boxes

THE elimination process for the counting of the Southern Highlands provincial seat in Mt Hagen is awaiting the release of 84 ballot boxes locked at the Mendi Police Station.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, in a letter dated Aug 22 to Steven Gore Kaupa, the new provincial returning officer, advised that the boxes be counted.
He said there was no court order stopping the counting of the boxes.
Gamato said the writ for the Southern Highlands provincial seat would not be accepted if the 84 boxes were not counted.
Gamato, in the letter, stated that the 84 boxes must be counted before proceeding with the quality checks and elimination process.
Kaupa could not be reached for comment yesterday as he was reportedly in Port Moresby.
The counting was shifted to Mt Hagen because of the unrest in Mendi.
Sitting Governor William Powi was among those leading when counting was stopped.