The counting of the East Honiara Bye-Election is still continuing at the Honiara Town Council (HTC) Education Division conference room. Anxious supporters are currently gathered in front of the building, awaiting the outcome of the election.
Speaking with a Counting Agent from the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, who refused to be identified, he stated that the counting was expected to be completed by midnight last night.He said that normally there were two counting agents selected from each polling stations. In this case, there was only one person selected to be involved in the counting process.
He told Solomon Times that the cause of the counting delay was the change of system, by selecting only one person from each polling station.
He stated that since the counting started up until now the candidate with the highest number is Mr. Silas Milikada. Although the Counting Agent was quick to say that "it is still too early to make predictions...the Naha Polling station may decide the winner"
Solomon Times returned to the counting station after Naha polling station was completed and the highest was still Mr. Milikada.
The Counting Agent still insisted that it will be a close finish. "With Naha about 10 polling stations have been counted but the majority is yet to come," he added.
He told Solomon Times that the final result of the Bye-Election will be expected late this afternoon.