By Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The people of Goilala in Central Province are expecting the declaration of their new Member of Parliament today.
Following elimination round 30 as of 1am Monday, only three candidates remain in the race for the vacant seat.
Leading the way is Willim Samb of the Pangu Party, who currently has 4,076 votes. National Alliance candidate, Alex Hoem Robert, is 305 votes in arrears on 3,771; while Bruce Mamando, an independent candidate is in third place on 3,213 votes.
PNG National congressman John Mona, and brother of late Goilala MP Daniel Mona, was eliminated in the 30th elimination.
When counting resumes at 9am this morning, Independent candidate Mathew Poia will be eliminated and his votes distributed between the top two candidates, William Samb and Alex Hoem Robert.
No serious security threats were reported during the duration of the counting, but police officers from the Central Police Command say that personnel are expected to be boosted once a winner is announced today, to minimise any issues that may potentially arise.
