Three New Faces Have Now Entered The Political Scene By Winning Their Respective Seats In The 2017 National Election.
PC PNG – Three new faces have now entered the political scene by winning their respective seats in the 2017 National Election.
One is newly elected Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt who ousted Mining Minister Byron Chan.
Two are former MPs who made a comeback to national politics.
Petrus Thomas, an independent, was re-elected to Koroba-Kopiago after a 10-year break. Koroba-Kopiago had been left vacant after incumbent Philip Undialu decided to contest the Hela Regional seat.
Koni Iguan, a Pangu Party candidate, reclaimed the seat by beating Housing Minister Paul Isikiel in the Markham Open in Morobe Province.
Other MPs who have been re-elected are Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for Ialibu-Pangia, James Marape (Tari-Pori), Justin Tkatchenko (Moresby South), Allan Marat (Rabaul) and Sam Basil (Bulolo).
This brings the total tally in political party standing to People’s National Congress Party – three, National Alliance – one, Pangu – two, Melanesian Liberal Party – one and independents – one.
Elimination of votes is currently being conducted in Manus where two PNC candidates are leading, Finschhafen where Speaker Theodore Zurenuoc has been struggling but leading against a Pangu tide sweeping through Morobe Province. Elimination is also progressing in Hela Regional, Komo-Margarima Open and East New Britain.
Manus has gone down to the wire as of late yesterday with PNC candidates Job Pomat (Manus Open) and Charlie Benjamin (Regional), leading in the final elimination and winners declared (see page 3).
The country should have a clear picture on the outcome of the election results by this week and which parties are likely to form government based on the numbers game.
