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 New Bougainville Party 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
New Bougainville Party

Elected President

John Momis
New Bougainville Party

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

See also: Members of the Bougainville House of Representatives, 2015–2020

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
Constituency Candidates Elected[A]
Women 10 Francesca Semoso
Former Combatant 14 Ben Malatan Korus
Atolls 8 Raymond Masono
Hagogohe 5 Robert Hamal Sawa
Haku 24 Robert Chika Tulsa
Halia 5 Patrick Nisira
Mahari 8 John Tabinaman
Nissan 6 Charry Napto Kiso
Peit 12 Josephine Getsi
Selau 14 Joseph Watawi
Suir 9 Luke Karaston
Taonita Teop 11 Raopos Apou Tepaia
Taonita Tinputz 6 David Braun Vatavi
Teua 6 Charles Kakapetai
Tonsu 13 Ezekiel Massat
Tsitalato 7 Fidelis Semoso
Central Bougainville District
Constituency Candidates Elected[A]
Women 6 Marcelline Kokiai
Former Combatant 7 Noah Doko
Eivo/Torau 11 Clarence Dency
Ioro 6 Michael Lapelela
Kokoda 6 Rodney Osioco
Kongara 2 Dominic Itta
North Nasioi 10 Nicholas Darku
Rau 9 Thomas Keriri
South Nasioi 9 Simon Dasiona
Terra 6 Robin Wilson
South Bougainville District
Constituency Candidates Elected[A]
Women 7 Isabel Peta
Former combatant 5 Thomas Tarii
Baba 11 William Silamai
Baubake 8 Jacob Tooke
Bolave 8 Dennis Alexman Lokonai
Konnou 8 Louis Miriki Masiu
Kopii 10 Philip Kuhena
Lato 7 Christopher Kena
Lule 8 Joseph Kangki Nabuai
Makis 7 John Vianney Kepas
Motuna/Huyono 8 Albert Punghau
Ramu 6 Thomas Pa'ataku
Torokina 10 Steven Suako
A incumbent candidates who were re-elected are in italics.

References

  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b c "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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