FINAL STANDING IN CHC: Efona wins race, Lilo in second

The newly elected MP for Central Honiara, Alfred Efona, has won the by-election by 3,670 with 722 votes more than his runner up and former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo who polled 2,948 votes.

Efona, who is running under United Party banner, was declared the winner on Saturday night by Returning Officer Atu Belakana ahead of a field of nine other candidates.

Efona led since Thursday until the result was declared.

Lilo who contested the city seat for the first time occupied the second place though he had led in the early batch on Thursday night. He was running under Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA).

One of the candidates tipped to do well and wife of the former MP, Jennifer Fugui, finished in third place with 2,432 votes.

Jennifer’s husband, John Moffat Fugui, lost the seat in April after the high court ruled in favour of the petitioner, Efona. The court found Fugui guilty of corruption when he gave money to voters at Green Valley.

In fourth place is Frank Aote who was the runner up in the 2014 election in the same constituency.

Aote polled 1,055 votes.

Finishing fifth is Frank Sade Bilaupaine with 490 votes ahead of Pauline Rade Firisua who finished sixth with 202 votes whilst one of the independent candidates Joseph Douglas collected 126 ballots. In 8^th position is Barnabas Henson Bosokuru with 80 votes, Michael Tofu Saru 59 votes and Rose Annie Anilabata in 10^th place with 19 votes.

Here is the final standing:

Efona: 3,670

Lilo: 2,948

Mrs Fugui: 2432

Aote: 1055

Bilaupaine: 490

Mrs Firisua: 202

Douglas: 126

Henson: 80

Saru: 59

Mrs Anilabata: 19