Counting for Central Honiara Constituency resumed 12 pm today

Counting of votes for Central Honiara Constituency had recommenced, 12pm after a complain made under section 104 of the Electoral Act has been solved following an advise from the Attorney General John Muria Junior.

This following an interruption from last night’s count at the beginning of batch 9.

The issue was settled in the presence of the Attorney General John Muria Junior, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Patterson Oti, and the Chief Electoral Officer Jane Waetara.

CHC Returning Officer, Atu Balekana confirmed, the issue arise from an incompleted polling form for one of our polling stations.

“A counting agent had formally made a complaint requiring that legal interpretations be clarified to him. Should a complain is recieved under section 104 of the Electoral Act -Complain During Counting, the matter will have to be substantiated and be dealt with immediately.”

Mr. Balekana added, “A second level (SC2) of a reconcilliation process had to be initiated to verify all ballots issued on polling day were correctly accounted for and validated. This was done infront of all counting agents.”

He confirm reconciliations are completed with all verifications confirming all ballots were accounted for irrespective of an incomplete polling form.

“All counting agents have confirmed and agreed to the outcome of the verification process,” he added.

Counting is currently progressing for the remaining 3 batches.