by Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The counting for the Goilala Open by-election is processing smoothly at the Institute of Public Administration Hall, in Port Moresby.
By 4 o’clock this afternoon Alex Robert a candidate of the National Alliance Party was leading with 1, 079 votes.
Mathew Poia, an independent candidate, is trailing in second place with seven hundred and nineteen votes while John Kiar is in third place.
Counting for the Goilala Open by-election is currently underway with counting officials progressing into count ten.
According to Returning Officer Kila Egaba, the counting is on schedule and a winner is expected to be declared on Sunday.
“There are over 39 ballot boxes, so far we have counted 9 boxes,” Mr. Egaba said.
The counting began on Monday with the first five boxes. Following minor delays this morning, counting officials were able to count the second lot of five ballot boxes.
This by election is the second for Central province.
Last year, a by election for the Kairiku –Hiri electorate saw the election of Peter Isoaimo as the Kairiku –Hiri MP.
This Goilala Open by-election came following the death of former Goilala MP Daniel Mona.
Following Count 10, the officials working the night shift will continue the count until 11 O’clock tonight.
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