Counting for the newly created Kairuku open seat has now been further delayed after the counting officials did not receive a response from the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission yet on their demands for their overdue allowances to be paid to them.
The Returning Officer (RO), Mr. Henry Oa, said they cannot continue now because the counting teams still stand by their demand; therefore, they have decided to move counting to Monday 25th July.
“We already spoke with an administrative officer for the PNG electoral commission, and he has taken the demands back to the headquarters,” said the RO.
He said what they can do now is wait until a response or an agreement is reached between the two parties before the counting can resume. As a result of this, there was no counting today, and there will be no counting tonight and tomorrow.
There are two ballot boxes left to be counted for the new Kairuku Open seat, but these two boxes will now have to wait until next week.
The counting officials said they have not been paid since day one of counting at the Murray Barracks gymnasium in Port Moresby city, which started almost two weeks ago.
The officials mostly came from the remote and distant parts of the electorate and had to hire transportation to come to the capital city for the counting; therefore, they must meet the expenses as well but with no payments so far, they have now resorted to this action to get things done for them.
Meanwhile, the results after count 21 of the Kairuku open seat remains as it is, Peter Namea Isoaimo continues to lead with 7, 156 votes followed by Paru Aihi with 4, 866. Allan Aoka Keagaimo is on third place with 3, 170, Seline Leo Lohia on fourth with 2, 110 and on fifth is Java Aiva Beraro with 2, 049 votes.