Team awaiting advice after by-election hiccup

ONE-day polling for the Menyamya by-election has been done except for three areas because polling teams arrived late.
They now have to wait for Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato’s advice on rescheduling the polling date.
Polling teams based in Yapato in the Bainu ward, Nanema-Kareba and Komakwata and Kopakini in Kapao LLGs were instructed to also wait for Gamato’s advice.
Returning officer Nande Awape said the delay was due to late security personnel engagement, allowance issues and use of only one helicopter drop off polling teams in isolated areas.
Bad weather also delayed the insertion of polling teams on April 16 and 17.
A total of 138 polling teams were posted at Kome (43), Wapi (34), Nanema-Kareba (33) and Kapao (28).
Awape said Kome and Wapi LLGs had completed their voting and ballot boxes were collected soon after polling last Friday and Saturday.
Ballot boxes for Kapao and Nanema-Kareba will be collected by helicopter today.
“I’ve advised Gamato about the issues being faced and await his advice, should voting day be extended for teams in Yapato, Nanema-Kareba Komakwata and Kopakini in Kapao LLGs,” Awape said.
“Soon after completion of primary counts, the tallies will be referred to the district office to transfer information from tally sheet 66A to the main tally sheet 66A.”