Wewak Open counting halted

COUNTING for the Wewak Open seat was suspended after 2.00 pm yesterday following discrepancies over counting by some 35 candidates.
The candidates in a petition presented to the East Sepik provincial administrator John Alman called for the removal of Wewak returning officer, Martin Maingu and his officers and the provincial returning officer Lukas Engime and that new officials be appointed. They want the new officials to come from other districts like Angoram and Maprik.
In the petition the candidates alleged ballot boxes were also tampered with and one box which is ballot box 33 was disputed by the candidates who claimed its inner shield was different to the normal ballot boxes. They also raised concerns that sitting member Kimson Kare has been getting votes from Moem Barracks where some of the other candidates relatives live there and they did not get any votes at all. Candidates also wanted counting not to continue in the night as there were fears of foul play and that the venue of counting which is Moem Barracks be changed.
They also called for all counting to be suspended and that fresh polling be held.
As of 2.47 pm yesterday before counting was suspended in count 32 Mr Kare was leading with 920 votes, Jimmy Simatap was second with 899, Moses Manuau with 827 and Camilus Narakobi on fourth place with 686 votes.
For Yangoru/Sausia after count 14 which was the final count of the day before counting was suspended as of 4.00pm yesterday, sitting member Peter Wararu Waranaka was leading with 5156, in second place was Gabriel Dusava with 3461, running third was Bernard Hagoria with 2899 votes and on fourth place was Godfrey Rausen with 2403 votes. Five more boxes remain to be counted. Counting resumes today.
For Angoram Open after count 42 sitting member Arthur Somare leads with 6599 votes followed by Salio Waipo on second lace with 3386 votes, third is Ludwig Schulze on 2654 and Francis Ali on 1436. 19 boxes are still to be counted.
After count 24 in the East Sepik Regional seat, sitting member and Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare was leading with 3187 votes, followed by Greg Maisen at 1126, on third was Moses Murray with 909 and at fourth place was only female candidate Elizabeth Simogun Bade.
meanwhile Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen who is in Wewak will meet with the petitioners today.