The quality check for NCD Regional count is being expected to be completed by this afternoon, according to NCD Election Manager, Kila Ralai.

He said based on the total number of ballots counted, an absolute majority will be established.

Election Manager, Ralai said if the leading candidate does not reach the absolute majority, elimination will start in a field of 30 candidates.

It is not clear whether Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai has furthermore extended the writ for NCD Regional Seat.

PNG SUN was seeking a clarification on this matter with Sinai but he has not responded to it when this article was published.

“Only Commissioner (has) to advise on that issue but it is also proper to complete the NCD Regional count orderly with the completion of the counting processes.

“By 2pm, we should complete all QC (quality check) including query boxes from Wanigela and will go straight into elimination process until declaration hopefully by tomorrow,”Ralai told PNG SUN.

After the completion of the primary count, sitting Governor, Powes Parkop is leading the race with 48, 137 votes, 17,374 votes’ difference to the second runner-up, Andy Bawa.

Bawa polled 30,763 votes.

People’s Labour Party’s Wari Vele is on the third spot with 26,947 whilst the Melanesian Alliance’s Michael Kandiu on the fourth with 20,569 votes.