By NOBERT KOKE
THE court ordered recount of the Kandep open electorate has progressed well without any hiccups after its 12th day as of Friday.
From the progressive tally after count 60 to 70 former MP and petitioner Don Pomb Polye is maintaining a clearly lead with 5000 plus votes.
The top four candidates after count 60-70 were Don Pomb Polye with a commanding lead of 12,099 votes. Trailing behind with a difference of 5,104 votes is sitting MP Alfred Manase with 6995 votes. Running third is Peter Mision Yaki with 4, 698 votes, a difference of 2,297 votes behind Manase and Jonathan M Paraia still maintaind his fourth placing with 2,798 votes.
The total allowable ballot papers counted so far is 30,149 with excluded ballot of 3983 of the 4854 and the informal ballot is 164.
Acting PNG Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says the counting is still in progress with some boxes remaining.
The acting Commissioner was not able to give exact details of the counting or provide updates because it was a judicial recount.
However, he said there are about 16 or 17 ballot boxes in total including the seven disputed boxes for the Kandep Open Judicial recount.
Mr Sinai further said he would not go into detail in regards to the seven disputed boxes but says it’s the job of Lawyers who are at the counting venue to decide.
“The disputed boxes are still there, the Returning Officer will make the decision once in consultation with the Lawyers and the court orders.
“I’m not aware because that is something to do with the court so the lawyers will advice. If that is something to do with the commission the commission will do it. This time it is the court so the court officers are there coordinating,” he said.
During the counting in 2017, the total allowable ballots were 49,847 and the absolute Majority was 24,347 plus 1.