Manasseh Maelanga scored another landslide victory in similar fashion he did in his 2008 and 2010 elections to retain the East Malaita seat.
Contesting as an independent, he polled 2,992 well ahead of his runner up Jimson Iakwai who polled just 896, to win by a margin of 2,096 ballots.
Other candidates are: Rex Alafa, 501 votes; Paul Ofea, 185 votes; Michael Lautagi, 109 votes; Eddie Misite’e, 70 votes; and Leonard Solomon Saii with 48 votes.
Returning officer Donald Talafunu declared the result on Saturday afternoon at the Auki Community High School counting venue.
Talafunu said the counting follows a peaceful and trouble-free polling day in East Malaita.
He said more than 80 per cent of people turned out to cast their votes.
Talafunu thanked East Malaita people for making the very important day in the history of this nation successful and peaceful.
“Only few ballot papers were spoiled but the majority of voters cast their votes on Wednesday which shows that people enjoy the new voting system.”
East Malaita has more than 5000 registered voters, but only more than 4,000 people cast their ballots last Wednesday.
Maelanga was the deputy prime minister in the outgoing government.
STEPHEN DI’ISANGO
in Auki
