Ward with informal votes

 TAGITAGI ward 1 in the Toma-Vunadidir local level government (LLG) in Gazelle, East New Britain, had the highest number of informal votes for its LLG election.

Gazelle open electorate team leader Sammy Rupen said this was identified after the declaration of the LLG’s 33 ward councillors last week.

Tagitagi ward one had 64 informal votes, Vunakaur ward followed with 41, Taulil ward 1-Malabunga secondary school area with 30 and Tanaka and Baie ward with 21 each.

Rupen said the total number of informal votes for the LLG was 450, total allowable ballot papers 6,613 and total ballot papers 7,063.

He said Ratavul ward 2, Rapitok ward 3 and Palaba were declared unopposed. 

Meanwhile, in the Rabaul open electorate five women have been declared councillors in Balanataman, Kombiu and Rabaul Urban LLG.

They were Elizabeth Warngar for Volavolo ward, Florence Wartovo Ward 10 – Rabaul Urban LLG; Ruth Voi for Matupit 1, Joyce Urami for Matupit 5 and Helen Bonat for Korere 1-Kombiu LLG.

There were no women candidates in the Watom LLG elections.

Rabaul Open electorate team leader Freddy Lemeki said the election was progressing as scheduled with no major hiccups.

Lemeki said in the Rabaul urban LLG most of the sitting councillors had retained their seats while in the Kombiu LLG all declarations were first time councillors.

He added that there were no scrutineers at most polling booths, especially at the Balanataman LLG counting centre.

Lemeki said polling on Watom Island LLG had progressed well with two wards remaining. 

Rakival and Vunakabai wards completed polling on Saturday with counting of Vunakabai ward councillor’s and president’s seats to be done today. 

Meanwhile, counting for the president’s seat in the 18 local level governments in East New Britain is expected to begin today.