Despite minor hiccups at Wewak and Yangoru counting centre, counting is now continuing into the second week and is said to be progressing well. Declarations are expected to be made during this week.
It is clearer that most of the East Sepik’s seven national Parliament seats in the 2012 national elections are led by National Alliance Party candidates.
NA’s ‘commander in chief’ in the 2012 national elections and country’s founding father, Sir Michael Thomas Somare is very comfortable in the lead at 77, 513 primary votes ahead of arch rival Allan Bird who is at 39,874 for the East Sepik regional seat.
Jim Simatab is at 3,880 ahead of Joe Gabut at 2,474 for the Wewak open race. Arthur Somare at 6,185 ahead of Ludwig Schultz at 4,151 for Angoram open seat. John Simon at 8,894 ahead of Gabriel Kapris at 8,069 for Maprik open seat. Anthony Aimo at 5,253 ahead of Ezekiel Anisi at 4,288 for the Ambunti Drekikir open seat.
NA’s candidate for Wosera Gawi open seat, Paul Malken is trailing at the fourth spot with 2,287 votes behind Don Bakai with 2,303 votes while Joseph Yopyyop of the Social Democratic party is in the lead with 4,704 followed by sitting Member Ronald Asik at 3,028.
At count 15, NA’s key strategist and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu – 5,814 is at second spot behind Richard Maru, who is leading the Yangoru Saussia open seat race at 6,790 votes.
The NA’s dominance in this election has shown that the people of East Sepik voted with “sympathy” over Sir Michael after what transpired last year in Parliament. They wanted to show support for him to return with the numbers to form the next Government that would restore the rule of law and the Constitutional democracy in Papua New Guinea.
