Nominations in the highlands concluded peacefully yesterday with no major problems encountered. As of the close of nominations yesterday afternoon, the highlands region recorded close to a thousand candidates vying for the various seats in their respective provinces. More than ten female candidates are also contesting across this male dominated region.
Highlands province topped the list with four hundred and fifteen candidates.
As of the close of nominations yesterday at 4:06pm, Goroka recorded the highest number of candidates with also the highest number of female candidates. A breakdown of this showed that fourty candidates nominated for the Eastern Highlands Province regional seat currently held by Malcom Kela Smith, Kainantu with fifty candidates and Daulo Open with fifty
The next province with the highest number of candidates nominated was Southern Highlands with hundred and nine candidates. Twenty four candidates are running for the Southern Highlands provincial seat left behind by Agiru, twenty five candidates running for Kagua Erave and only eight candidates running for the Ialibu Pangia seat held by Peter O’Neill.
Western Highlands follows with hundred candidates nominated across the province. Twenty four candidates are contending for the provincial seat now occupied by Tom Olga, amongst them is PDM Founder and Leader Pias Wingti.
The new province of Hela recorded ninety one candidates. Twenty three candidates are vying for the provincial seat including Anderson Agiru and Larry Andagali, twenty eight for Komo Margarima and twenty two for Koroba Lake Kopiago.
Attempts to get final nomination results from Enga, Simbu and Jiwaka provinces were unsuccessful.
