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RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Bougainville election process begins as writs issued
ABG House Speaker Simon Pentanu will be issuing the writs for the fifth general elections on Monday 7 July. 5 February 2025 Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government The Bougainville election process begins today with the issuance of the writs on Monday. Nominations open Tuesday, 8 July and close on Thursday, 10 July. Voting is scheduled for one week starting on 2 September , allowing seven weeks of campaigning. Candidates will be vying for 46 seats in total, with the autonomous parliament agreeing earlier this year to add five additional seats. The seats were created with the establishment of five new constituencies: two in South and Central, and one in North Bougainville. "This is one of the most important democratic tasks of any nation - to conduct elections where the people exercise the ultimate power to re-elect or de-elect the representatives who have served them in the last House," Bougainville parliament Speaker Simon Pentanu said. "The elections in Bougainville have always been fair, honest, transparent, and equitable. This is a history we should all be proud of and a record we must continue to uphold," he said. The region's electoral commissioner Desmond Tsianai said the issuing of writs was a significant event in the electoral calendar. "We have delivered credible elections in the past and I assure you all that we are prepared, and we will have this election delivered at international standards of free, fair and inclusive - and most importantly, according to the law."
RNZ News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Bougainville vote preparations on track
ABG House Speaker Simon Pentanu will be issuing the writs for the fifth general elections on Monday 7 July. 5 February 2025 Photo: Autonomous Bougainville Government The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Desmond Tsianai says work has begun on updating the electoral rolls ahead of the September poll. The writs are to be issued on 7 July, with polling set to start on 2 September . Tsianai said his office is committed to delivering the Bougainville General Elections on time, within budget, and in accordance with legal requirements. He said updating the rolls is the first task, and his team has started preparations for it. Tsianai said the rolls have been printed and ready for the training of the trainers process. A list of returning officers and their assistants is being finalised for the region, as well as for five provinces in Papua New Guinea: the National Capital District, Morobe, Madang, Eastern Highlands, and West New Britain. Despite the magnitude of the task ahead, Tsianai assured that his team remains focused and dedicated to delivering a free, fair, and credible election for the people of Bougainville. "It gives me great pleasure as the Commissioner to say that we are prepared and we are looking forward to deliver elections as per the schedule."
