COUNTING of election ballot papers in Temotu Province continues today after the process was suspended 5pm yesterday.
Election officials have counted up to 13 boxes for the Temotu Nende Constituency. The remaining 18 are expected to be completed today.
Before suspending the process yesterday, electoral manager Luke Paul warned election officials and the media against releasing any information of the ballots counted so far.
He said premature release of the results may ignite hostility amongst candidate supporters.
Mr Paul said visibility of police around the counting centre gave much confidence to the counting officials and agents to do their work without fear or duress.
“I appeal to the counting officials and agents to abide to the code of conduct during the counting process,” Mr Paul said.
Meanwhile, police in Lata confirmed ballot boxes from the province’s two remote constituencies of VATUD and Pele will be brought over to Lata for counting by tomorrow.
Police have praised the public for their good behaviour during polling day on Wednesday.
Unopened boxes are being kept at the Lata police station.
By ELLIOT DAWEA
in Lata
