COUNTING of all ballot papers throughout the country will start 8am today.
Chief Electoral Officer Polycarp Haununu confirmed this to the media yesterday.
Mr Haununu said by the close of polling yesterday all ballot boxes will be transported to identified counting locations throughout each province before counting starts.
“By the close of all polling stations, officers of the electoral office will collect all the ballot boxes under the guidance of police officers and transport them to secure locations and then to selected counting stations,” he said.
“Our officers are currently in the process of retrieving all ballot boxes from the 867 Polling Stations throughout the country with the assistance of the RSIPF.
“The ballot boxes will be stored in secure locations, under police guard overnight ready for counting to begin at 8 AM tomorrow,” Mr Haununu said.
He said some of the results should be known by noon today, adding counting is expected to complete by Saturday.
Mr Haununu said despite a few minor issues experienced at some polling stations, they have been sorted by those manning the stations.
He said they have not received any serious reports from around the country by the close of polling at 5pm yesterday.
“Polling day has run smoothly across the country and no major incidents or issues have been reported,” Mr Haununu added.
Meanwhile the electoral commission thanked the public for their patience and co-operation throughout yesterday’s polling.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA
