by Michelle Amba – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Writs for the West Sepik Provincial by-election were today returned to Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio. This signifies the conclusion of the by-election which was taken out by National Alliance Party candidate, Amkat Mai.
The writs were returned by PNG Electoral Commissioner, Sir Andrew Trawen, who expressed his satisfaction in regards to the peaceful outcome of the event, but his dissatisfaction on voter turn outs.
“It is disappointing to see that out of the 148,812 eligible voters only 72,962 cast their votes during polling,” Sir Andrew said.
This represents only 49.03 per cent of eligible voters.
Amkat Mai won with 32,948 votes while the runner up, Simon Solo, a People’s Party candidate received 14,663 votes.
Mai was declared the winner on August 22, in Vanimo, West Sepik Province.
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