Dei by-election enters day 4 with tight race

Counting in the Dei Open by-election has entered its fourth day today, with results from all three Local Level Governments continuing to show a close contest among the leading candidates.

As of the close of counting last night, Independent candidate Desmond Paul Kipa is maintaining a narrow lead with 5,896 votes, followed closely by fellow Independent Goro Koiti on 5,766 votes.

Independent candidate Sam Koim is in third place with 3,554 votes, while Tui Ekil (Independent) sits fourth with 3,251 votes.

Two candidates, Westley Nukundi Nukundj and Baffinu Bradley Wak, both Independents, are tied in fifth position on 2,948 votes each.

Returning Officer Philip Telape confirmed that 22 ballot boxes out of a total 58 have so far been counted, covering votes from Kotna, Muglamp and Kinjibi Mala Local Level Government areas.

Counting was suspended at around 6:00pm last evening and is scheduled to resume this morning at about 10:00am, allowing police to use the field earlier in the day.

Election officials say regular updates will continue as counting progresses.