Chan extends lead in New Ireland

PPP candidate Byron Chan has further extended his lead in the New Ireland Provincial By-Election following the completion of Count 13 for Nimamar and Namatanai Local Level Governments [LLGs], and Count 14 for Tanir, Tikana, and Sentral Niu Ailan LLGs yesterday afternoon.

Chan now leads the tally with 9,872 votes.

He is followed by Independent Candidate, Kepas Wali, with 7,799 votes.

National Alliance Candidate, Joshua Takin Soi, remains in third place with 5,049 votes.

Our Party Candidate, Hosea Kalis, is fourth with 922 votes, while Independent Chris Gai sits in fifth place with 800 votes.

Counting was suspended at around 6:00pm yesterday due to heavy rain and is scheduled to resume at 9:00am today, Tuesday February 3, 2026.

So far, all 14 ballot boxes from Tanir LLG have been fully counted.

This morning, Tikana and Sentral Niu Ailan LLGs are expected to complete their final ballot boxes under Count 15, while Nimamar and Namatanai LLGs will complete their last two boxes under Counts 14 and 15.

Once these five LLGs complete their ballot counts, counting will then move to the next group of Local Level Governments-Konoagil 17 boxes], Matalai [11 boxes], Kavieng Urban [20 boxes], Lavongai [19 boxes], and Murat [6 boxes].

Election officials say regular updates will continue as counting progresses.