Patrick Basa declared member-elect for Kabwum electorate

Patrick Basa, registered under the 'Our Party' political party, has been declared the member-elect for Kabwum District, after count 9 in the elimination rounds for the Kabwum by-election at 6:55pm today, with 11, 941 votes.

Patrick Basa, the ousted candidate of the 2022 National Elections, went eye to eye with is his close political rival Haring Quoreka, the candidate who petitioned Basa's declaration as the member for Kabwum then, by the Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai under 'Special Circumstances'.

Retaining the seat in this by-election, Patrick Basa collected 1, 613 more votes, than the absolute majority line at 10, 328 votes.

His combative opponent, Haring Quoreka scored 8, 714 votes, a margin of 3, 227 votes behind Basa, which falls below the absolute majority line.

Speaking to NBC News, the winning candidate said, despite having only two and a half years to deliver as much as he could, he will do his best starting with bringing bringing police personnel into his district to maintain law and order.

"I will do my best to do what I can but then again, it comes back to funding support. Kabwum is a difficult District with rugged terrains but with proper funding support from the government to back me up, I can deliver," he said.

The re-elected member made special mentions to the Kabwum Returning officer, James Neapukali, the counting and polling offclicials and the Elections Manager Simon Soheke, and the police personnel who worked tirelessly to deliver a successful by-election.

The member elect was declared in the presence of the 'Our Party' leader, Finschafen MP and Mining Minister, Renbo Paita, with other dignitaries and his supporters.