By Mortimer Yangharry
Returning Officer for the Lagaip Open Supplementary Election Mr.Beto Pokale is confident of declaring the pioneer MP for the newly created Lagaip Open Electorate in Enga Province soon when quality check and eliminations resume tomorrow.
In an official Inter Office Memo addressed to the Electoral Commisioner Mr.Simon Sinai, the Returning Officer clarified that the disruption in Quality Check and eventual Eliminations since Monday November 20 was because of a fight that broke out between scruitneers inside the counting room which took place at the Wabag Primary School.
Pokale emphasized on the need of additional strength of security forces which have already arrived into Wabag Town this week and are providing the much needed security in guarding the ballot boxes kept at the Wabag Police Station.
With the academic year winding down, the Chairman of Wabag Primary School Mr.Kepakan Pakau is concerned of the disruption of classes by the counting taking place and has advised students, parents, guardians and the general public of the immediate resumption of classes as of tomorrow.
Understanding the urgency of the resumption of classes, Returning Officer Pokale has advised the Board of Management of the Wabag Primary School, Chairman Pakau and Headteacher Mr.Mark Sakol that by Tuesday November 28, 2023, the pioneer MP for the Lagaip Open Electorate will be officially declared forthwith and sincerely apologized for the inconvenience that have been caused so far as a result of the counting.
Security personnels on the ground have been beefed up throughout the week with additional reinforcements from the PNGDF Second Royal Pacific Island Regiment ( 2RPIR) based in Wewak, East Sepik Province and extra Mobile Sqard Units from the Northern Mobile Group based in Lae, Morobe Province.
In the meantime, former MP Tomait Kapili of the United Resource Party is leading with 27, 356 votes while Pangu Pati’s Aimos Akem is closing the gap on 17,835 votes.Independent candidate Sam Talepakali on third spot with 13, 522 votes while another Independent candidate Robert Yori Yai is on fourth placing with 5, 773 votes while Brian Lakakit polled 5, 185 votes.
A total of 30 candidates have contested in this supplementary election as its maiden election last year was marred with violence forcing the Electoral Commissioner to declare a failed election.
The primary count of votes is already done with resumption of quality check and eliminations to proceed tomorrow.
