09 February,2026
Counting in the New Ireland Provincial By-Election remains ongoing at the Peter Torot Counting Centre, with no candidate yet securing the absolute majority of 50% plus one vote (23,151 votes) required to be declared elected.
A total of 10 candidates contested the by-election. Following the sixth elimination, six candidates have now been excluded, leaving four candidates remaining in the count.
The candidates eliminated in sequence are Joseph Willie (#16), Rhodie Nawara (#11), Nelson Hungrabos (#15), Stanley John Wapot (#12), Moses Taram (#13), and Topit Kalis (#18).
After the redistribution of preferences, Byron Chan continues to lead the count with 20,164 votes, holding a margin of approximately 6,000 votes over second-placed Kepas Wali, who has polled 14,038 votes.
The remaining candidates are Takin Soi with 9,346 votes and Chris Gai with 2,752 votes.
During this round of counting, 237 ballots were exhausted.
The absolute majority remains at 23,151 votes, with 46,300 ballots still remaining to be counted and redistributed.
Counting has been suspended and is scheduled to resume at 10:00am tomorrow.