Bad weather forces suspension in Dei by-election counting

Counting for the Dei Open by-election was suspended on Sunday after heavy rain caused flooding inside the counting tent, forcing election officials to halt the process.

Returning Officer Philip Telape confirmed that counting officially started on Saturday, January 31, at around midday, after nine ballot boxes were removed from a secured container.

“We started counting yesterday around midday after nine ballot boxes were removed from the container to kick-start the process,” Mr Telape said.

He said seven ballot boxes were successfully counted before counting was suspended at about 6pm due to time constraints.

“Out of the nine boxes that were extracted, we managed to count seven boxes before suspending counting yesterday evening,” Mr Telape explained.

The seven boxes counted included two from Kinjibi Mala LLG, two from Kotna LLG, and three from Muglamp LLG, bringing the total number of boxes counted so far to seven.

Mr Telape said the remaining two ballot boxes were returned to the container.

“The other two boxes were put back into the container because time did not permit. These will be counted together with the rest when counting resumes,” he said.

Although counting did not proceed today, election officials were seen at the counting venue clearing flood water and reorganising the area after bad weather affected the tent.

After Count Number Seven, the progressive tally for the top five candidates is:

Mr Telape confirmed that counting will resume tomorrow, Monday, February 2, at 8:00am at the Kimininga Regional Police Barracks.

Counting will resume this morning.

Security remains tight, with police and defence personnel stationed at the gates and around the counting area to ensure the safety and integrity of the process.