Dede Sophie

The National Alliance Party now has four (4) members declared so far, after  East Sepik Governor Alan Bird retained his seat in a landslide victory this morning.  PNG Election : Allan Bird retains East Sepik Provincial Seat on Primary Count  [NBC Photo] Bird polled 127, 315 votes, exceeding the absolute majority of 118, 090 votes. He was declared by Provincial Returning Officer Thaddeus  Ulapapik front of his supporters and families at the Moem Army  Barracks.  In his victory speech,  an emotional Mr. Bird thanked his people for their mandate and promised to work hard for the good of the province in the next five years.  Melanesian Alliance Party’s Kenny Samuel Wayu finished second with 34, 434 votes and on third place is Michael Somare Jrn with 14, 348 votes. The other NA members declared so far include Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt, Angoram MP Salio Waipo and the Late North Bougainville MP, William Nakin. NBC News / PNG Today Next :  PNG Election : James Donald Retains North-Fly Ope

A total of 110 writs have been formally returned to the Governor General, as of Friday 12th of August. This now leaves only eight writs, which are yet to be returned. Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai in a media conference this afternoon, says that writs that are yet to be returned, includes the four Provincial seats of Simbu, Southern Highlands, Madang and NCD, where counting is still continuing. The other two open electorates will be the Moresby North West Open Electorate, which was declared late on Friday afternoon, as well as the Lagaip Open Electorate in the Enga Province, which will be declared fail, because of no polling. The other two electorates is still unclear at this stage. He also says that counting has been completed in 18, out of the 22 provinces in the country. Mr. Sinai also added that the Electoral Commission has again obtained an extension for the return of the remaining writs, to the 19th of August. NBC / PNG Today Next :  Sia Wins Eastern Highlands Regional Seat

Fiji  Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has moved quickly to ensure exiled University of the South Pacific Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, returns to Fiji as soon as possible. He has also acted to assist Dr Padma Lal, widow of the late Professor Brij Lal, to bring the ashes of the famed academic back home to Fiji from Australia. She too had been refused entry to Fiji, along with her late husband. Dr Padma Lal, with late Professor Brij Lal. Photo: ANU/Fiji Times “I am ready to meet Dr Lal and Professor Ahluwalia personally,” said Rabuka. “I will apologise on behalf of the people of Fiji for the way they were treated.” Rabuka said he had promised his government would bring to an end the injustices suffered by Professor Ahluwalia, and Professor Brij Lal. These made headline news. He affirmed today that the Vice Chancellor and Dr Lal are now free to enter the country.” Dr Lal had been prevented from coming to Fiji with her husband’s ashes for them to be taken to his birth-place at T