Papua New Guinea's incumbent prime minister Peter O'Neill has retaken his seat, becoming the first MP to be re-elected to parliament in the country's general election.
Mr O'Neill, 46, leader of the People's National Congress Party, claimed victory in his Ialibu-Pangia seat in the Southern Highlands after recording 32,424 votes.
His nearest challengers were Independent's Eke Lama, with 5252 votes, and Raphael Noipo, on 5251 votes, according to the PNG Electoral Commission website.
The electoral commission is yet to make a statement, but Mr O'Neill told PNG's Post-Courier newspaper: "I am now re-elected for the third term and I thank everyone for their support."
If confirmed, Mr O'Neill is the first re-elected MP in a national election that has been marred by delays, voter fraud and ballot box rigging.
He took over as prime minister on August 2 last year following a controversial decision by the majority of parliament to dump four-time prime minister Sir Michael Somare from office, in a move that sparked a constitutional crisis.
Two of the eight candidates in Mr O'Neill's seat have gone to court, seeking to declare a failed election in the province, following allegations 25 ballot boxes were hijacked.
Mr O'Neill called on them to respect the people's wishes.
"All they have to do is go to Pangia or Ialibu and ask if they chose their leader," he said.
"The answer will be obvious. The public asked the candidates not to contest, they did not listen, now the people have spoken through the ballot."
Mr O'Neill was greeted by a massive public reception in late May when he returned to his seat to renominate.
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