Slow start in East New Britain

COUNTING in East New Britain began yesterday at a slow pace.
In the provincial seat after count one at 2pm, Sir John Kaputin led with 978 votes, governor Leo Dion on 399 and female candidate Lanieth Aua with 83 votes.
Box one was from the Clifton resettlement area covering Korere One and Two and Nordup.
In Gazelle open, Sinai Brown was leading after count three at 4.15pm with 1,077 votes followed by MP Malakai Tabar 871 and Smael Manicot 332.
It is understood count one was from Taulil and Rapitok, count two from Ratavul One and Two, Vunakabi, Tanaka and Raim, and count three from Tagitagi, Wairiki One and Two, from Toma-Vunadidir local level government.
There were 3,722 votes counted after count three.
In the Rabaul open seat, MP Dr Allan Marat led after count two at 4.30pm with 1,049 votes, followed by William Kaputin 736 and Skerry Palanga 412.
A total of 2,871 ballot papers had been counted after count two, which were mainly from Baai, Nodup, Matalau, Rakunat, Rabuana, Korere No 1 and 2, Matupit No.1 to 5 and Talvat, all from Kombiu LLG.
It took the whole afternoon to count box one of the Kokopo open seat as scrutineers requested that three counts be made.
After count one, Tiolam Wawaga led with 633 votes, Ereman ToBaining Jnr on 397 and John Boas on 345.
Progressive results for Pomio open after count 20 at 3pm yesterday saw MP Paul Tiensten leading with 2,293 votes, Francis Koimanrea with 2,029 and Francis Waina with 806.