Sitting Lae City Mayor, James Khay, continues to lead onthe third day of counting inthe Local Level Government elections in City.
While, he maintains a relatively comfortable margin, he has called onthe electoral commission to look into allegations of ballot box tampering in at least two locations.
Apart from a few minor interruptions by scrutinizers counting for the Local Level Government elections in Lae has been calm and orderly. Police have maintained a strong presence preventing any hint of trouble.
As of mid-daythere were a few boxes short ofthe half way mark. Betthe Lae City Lord Mayor was leading by a comfortable margin of close to a thousand.
The elections have not been without trouble; at least two people were reportedly injured in clashes in various parts ofthe city. Police mediation teams have been on-hand to defuse tensions.
Although leading by a comfortable margin James Khay has raised concerns of ballot box hijacking and intimidation of voters.
James Khay’s policies have centered around changes that some view as unfriendy, risky but popular – No evictions of settlers, pay rises and a city commission that has financial autonomy.
Khay says he is confident of winning but it’s still early days.
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