In Papua New Guinea, the National Alliance led coalition claims it may have the support of 58 MPs by the end of today, enough to ensure it becomes the Government on Monday.
Yesterday the Electoral Commissioner Reuben Kaiulo ordered supplementary elections in six seats in Southern Highlands, and declared the results in nine other seats in Enga and Southern.
This means 103 MPs could attend the Parliamentary opening.
Meanwhile the People's Democratic Movement is sequestering itself in Madanga until Monday, with its leader Sir Mekere Morauta saying he believes he will continue as Prime Minnister.
However as Peter Niesi reports from Kokopo where the National Alliance is based, the Sir Michael Somare coalition is increasingly confident of taking power.
"they had a head count and their 53 MPs are intact and there is a very real possibility that they will be joined by at least another five MPs today...and that would bring their numbers to more than 55-the simple majority needed. ...there is also something that would come to their help and that is the fact that all they need is a simple majority of how many MPs end up sitting on Monday, rather than the 109 seats that are in Parliament"
Peter Niesi
Police in Papua New Guinea have issued a call-out for troops to help in the security clampdown in the capital, Port Moresby, from Saturday.
This is part of a security operation ahead of Monday's election of a new prime minister.
The security arrangements include a ban on MPs carrying firearms in parliament.
Private security of MPs in hotels will be replaced by police and troops.
Papua New Guinea's first prime minister, opposition politician Sir Michael Somare, has been asked to try and form the next government after his party won the most seats.
