Vote counting in the Papua New Guinea’s national elections is continuing, with the results yet to be announced. The final shape of the government may take time to emerge. A voting map from the PNG Electoral Commission on the progress of the election. Green signifies voting is complete, orange that preference distribution is ongoing, light green that first preference counting is completed and blue that first preference counting is on-going. According to the PNG Electoral Commission, Papua New Guinea’s Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae, has granted a four-day extension to the return of writs, from Monday 24 July, to Friday 28 July. The four-day extension will give additional time to electorates that are slow in counting to speed up and complete their counting.
Paul Barker, Executive Director of the Institute of National Affairs, argues that polling in PNG is different to most countries, where polling typically occurs during a single day, exit polls give an almost immediate indication of the probable trends and the actual results come in that night.
The results announcement is shortly followed by the leader of the government either declaring victory or stepping down.
PNG’s political landscape is different. There are 44 parties and many more independents. Polling takes place over a more extended period, and the process of forming government can be drawn out.
Full Article: The final outcome of the Papua New Guinea elections may be drawn out – EMTV Online.