Wingti leads Western H’lands regional race

FORMER prime minister and People’s Democratic Movement Party founder Paias Wingti yesterday extended his lead by more than 9,000 votes from incumbent Governor Tom Olga.
After the 17th exclusion yesterday, Wingti’s progressive tally was 73,297 votes to Olga’s 65,115.
In third place was Wai Rapa on 33,340.
Counting was suspended yesterday.
In neighbouring Enga, Governor Peter Ipatas was well ahead of the competition as elimination wound down.
The Peoples Party Leader is currently ahead by 37,498 from Sandy Talita on 110,269 votes.
T.H.E Party candidate Talita is on 72,771 votes and in third spot is independent Kenneth Korakali on 54,184 votes.
About three more exclusions remain before the winner is declared.
In the nation’s capital Powes Parkop was 10,000 votes ahead of his nearest rival when counting was suspended yesterday.
The Social Democratic Party leader’s progressive tally of primary votes is currently on 24,520 votes.
PNC Party’s Wari Vele collected 14,435 votes and Independent candidate Michael Kandiu is still third with 10,729 votes.
Counting will continue into the night with at least some 40 more ballot boxes to go, before the elimination process commences.
Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen announced yesterday that the dates of the return of writs for Western Highlands, Enga and National Capital District  and possibly Jiwaka, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands would be extended further to next Wednesday, Aug 7.
This is the second extension.
Writs for the 103 seats that were declared up to yesterday and any other declared today were due to be presented to the governor-general today.