2015 Bougainvillean general election

2015 Bougainvillean presidential election
May 11–25, 2015 (2015-05-11 – 2015-05-25)
Registered173,000
Turnout106,227
 
Candidate John Momis Ishmael Toroama
Party NBP Independent
Instant-runoff final vote 51,382 18,466
First-preference vote[1] 48,826 16,077
 
Candidate Sam Kauona Sam Akoitai
Party Independent Bougainville Islands Unity Party
Instant-runoff final vote 14,965 11,523
First-preference vote[1] 12,383 9,443
President before election

John Momis
NBP

 Elected President

John Momis
NBP

A presidential and parliamentary election was held in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville between 11 May and 25 May 2015.[2] Incumbent President John Momis won re-election, the first President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to do so.

Campaign

A total of 342 candidates contested the election, involving the 33 constituency seats, three seats reserved for women and three seats reserved for former combatants in the Bougainville House of Representatives and the presidency itself.[3] A total of 104,542 valid votes and 1,685 informal votes were cast.[4] The common roll included approximately 173,000 registered voters.[5]

Presidential candidates

Nine candidates contested the presidency: incumbent President John Momis (New Bougainville Party), former Speaker of the House Nick Peniai (Bougainville Labour Party), former national Minister for Bougainville Affairs Sam Akoitai (Bougainville Islands Unity Party), and independent candidates Justin Pokata Kira, Sam Kauona, Peter Nerau, Simon Dumarinu, Ishmael Toroama and Reuben Siara.[5]

Independence referendum

As a part of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, the island was scheduled to hold a referendum on independence before 2020. The upcoming 2019 Bougainvillean independence referendum was an issue in the election, as whichever administration was elected would be in charge of managing the referendum. Analysts reported that incumbent president John Momis received support because his experience was seen as valuable for managing the referendum.[3]

Results

Presidential election

The presidential election was held under the instant-runoff voting system, with voters classifying up to three candidates.[5] John Momis received a clear plurality of first-preference votes with 48,826.[1] Momis was easily re-elected, achieving an absolute majority on the fourth elimination with a total of 51,382 votes. His nearest competitor, former rebel commander Ishmael Toroama, finished with 18,466 votes. Sam Kauona and Sam Akoitai settled for third and fourth placings with 14,965 and 11,523 votes respectively.[3]

Parliamentary election

The election marked the victory of Josephine Getsi, the first woman to win an open seat in the Bougainville House of Representatives.[3] Of the 39 constituencies in the Bougainville House of Representatives, only 14 incumbent members were re-elected. All women's and former combatants' seats saw new members elected.[6]

2015 Bougainvillean Parliamentary Election
North Bougainville District
ConstituencyCandidatesElected[A]
Women10Francesca Semoso
Former Combatant14Ben Malatan Korus
Atolls8Raymond Masono
Hagogohe5Robert Hamal Sawa
Haku24Robert Chika Tulsa
Halia5Patrick Nisira
Mahari8John Tabinaman
Nissan6Charry Napto Kiso
Peit12Josephine Getsi
Selau14Joseph Watawi
Suir9Luke Karaston
Taonita Teop11Raopos Apou Tepaia
Taonita Tinputz6David Braun Vatavi
Teua6Charles Kakapetai
Tonsu13Ezekiel Massat
Tsitalato7Fidelis Semoso
Central Bougainville District
ConstituencyCandidatesElected[A]
Women6Marcelline Kokiai
Former Combatant7Noah Doko
Eivo/Torau11Clarence Dency
Ioro6Michael Lapelela
Kokoda6Rodney Osioco
Kongara2Dominic Itta
North Nasioi10Nicholas Darku
Rau9Thomas Keriri
South Nasioi9Simon Dasiona
Terra6Robin Wilson
South Bougainville District
ConstituencyCandidatesElected[A]
Women7Isabel Peta
Former combatant5Thomas Tarii
Baba11William Silamai
Baubake8Jacob Tooke
Bolave8Dennis Alexman Lokonai
Konnou8Louis Miriki Masiu
Kopii10Philip Kuhena
Lato7Christopher Kena
Lule8Joseph Kangki Nabuai
Makis7John Vianney Kepas
Motuna/Huyono8Albert Punghau
Ramu6Thomas Pa'ataku
Torokina10Steven Suako
A incumbent candidates who were re-elected are in italics.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Momis re-elected ABG President". Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner. 6 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  2. ↑ "Bougainville Election For New Parliament To Start May 11". Pacific Islands Report. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "John Momis re-elected as Bougainville president, securing more than 50pc of votes". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  4. ↑ Kolova, Steven (May 2016). "Exploring factors that shaped results of Bougainville's general elections in 2015" (PDF). Contemporary PNG Studies: DWU Research Journal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "Elections in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville: 2015 General Elections - Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "List of the Elected ABG Members". Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner. 7 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
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