Viduna Galewelage has won Pineastone’s October Prime Minister election less than an hour after voting began, defeating Green Party candidate Cole Carter.

The election had originally been expected to run for three days from October 6, before being followed by elections to Pineastone’s Parliament. However, Galewelage secured enough votes to guarantee victory shortly after polls opened.

Decided within an hour

Galewelage stood as leader of the Pineastone Progressive Reformists, also known as the Liberal Reformists, against Carter of the Pineastone Green Party.

Nine of Pineastone’s 12 eligible voters had participated when Galewelage secured enough support to win, with six votes cast for the Progressive Reformist candidate and three votes remaining.

The Progressive Reformists describe themselves as a liberal, libertarian and left-wing reformist party, campaigning for greater separation within government, independent courts and a more active and organised legislature.

The party also places an emphasis on environmental policy and ensuring technological developments are reflected in law.

Accelerating the elections

The election timetable has now been accelerated following the early result.

Voting will formally close either when all eligible citizens have voted or at midnight NDT on October 7, with Parliamentary elections now expected to begin on October 8.

Galewelage’s Progressive Reformists currently have three members and are expected to also contest seats in Parliament as Pineastone moves towards forming its next government.