Byron Chan leads New Ireland by-election count

Counting in the New Ireland Provincial By-Election continued into its second day, with election officials completing Count 10 as of 2:00pm this afternoon.

Officials confirmed that five additional ballot boxes were counted under Count 10, drawn from the Tanir, Nimamar, Tikana, Sentral, and Namatanai Local-Level Government [LLG] areas.

Following the completion of Count 10, PPP candidate, Byron Chan, has taken a strong lead with a total of 7,485 votes.

He is followed by independent candidate Kepas Wali, who has secured 5,676 votes.

In third place is National Alliance [NA] candidate Joshua Takin Soi, with 3,491 votes.

Independent candidate, Moses Taram, is in fourth position with 567 votes, while Our Party candidate, Hosea Kalis, has moved into fifth place with 558 votes, overtaking Chris Gai.

Counting resumed after 3:00pm today, with the next five ballot boxes again drawn from Tanir, Nimamar, Tikana, Sentral and Namatanai LLGs to continue Counts 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The counting process is continuing under tight security, with election officials, scrutineers and security personnel maintaining order at the counting centre.

Officials say updates will be released as each count is completed, and voters are urged to remain patient as counting progresses in accordance with electoral procedures.