By Mickey Kavera – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Counting is still in progress for the Ijivitari by-elections in the Northern Province.
So far they have completed count 16 which are boxes for the Oro Bay local level government.
They have now progressed onto count 17 which is the Tufi local level government.
As of count 16, United Resources Party candidate, John Warisan, secured 181 votes to bring his progressive total to 3,442.
Trailing him second place is the ousted member and Peoples National Congress Party candidate, David Arore, who secured 210 votes with a progressive total of 2,684 votes.
Independent candidate, Sheldon Deilala, is narrowly closing in on David Arore securing the highest votes in the Oro Bay LLG with 273 votes taking his total votes to 2,802.
Another Independent candidate, Richard Masere, is on fourth place with a progressive total of 1,805 after securing 46 votes after count 16.
While on fifth place is Jerry Guni, who is also an Independent candidate, with a progressive total of 1,200 after securing 21 votes in count 16.
But the race is not over yet, with the two rivals John Warisan and David Arore battling for the Ijivitari seat.
