The Provincial Electoral Office in Morobe has recorded a total of 276 candidates who will be contesting the national elections.
Election Manager, Simon Soheke, says from the figures collected, 10 of them are women.
Soheke believes the number of candidates’ contesting this year has slightly increased by a difference of two or three candidates.
The National total is 4068 candidates.
A final list of intending candidates will be revealed after the nominations close on the 27th of this month.
It was revealed that Lae District registered 48 candidates.
Three of them are women, including the current Lae MP, Loujaya Kouza, who is looking to retain her seat.
Lae has the highest number, before Finscahhafen, with 40 candidates.
There is a woman contesting in that electorate.
The Naweab district has 38 candidates. Two women have our up their hands.
While the Markham District has 18 candidates, including a woman.
The Huon district recorded 28 candidates where a female will race with the 27.
In Kabwum, 2 women make up the total of 20 candidates contesting.
The Tewai/Siassi District will see 28 male candidates running.
While Menyamya has 23 candidates, neighbouring Bulolo District has 16 males only contesting.
17 intending candidates will be contesting the Morobe Regional seat.
The total number of candidates is 266 males and 10 women which brings the total to 276. This figure is from the provincial electoral office and does not include figures from the other districts and Port Moresby.
Nominations will be conducted in the Districts.
All open electorate candidates are urged to lodge their nomination in their respective districts.
The Provincial Electoral Office will only deal with candidates contesting the regional seat.
Meanwhile, the provincial office has until Monday to complete the roll updates before it is sent to Port Moresby.
Soheke is adamant the roll updates will be completed in the next five days.
He is also encouraging voters to be responsible, and take ownership of the election.
