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John Momis has been re-elected president of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, gaining around half of the votes.
He received 51,382 votes after leading the race since the start of week-long counting while his closest rival, Ismael Toroama, secured 18,466 votes.
Aloysius Laukai from New Dawn Radio told Pacific Beat Mr Momis had a distinct advantage due to his experience.
Voters were not in favour of a leadership change leading up to Bougainville’s upcoming referendum on independence in 2019.
“That’s why they were really supporting president Momis because they did not want newcomers, it takes time for them to learn the ropes of politics,” he said.
Mr Momis was declared the president-elect by Regional Returning Officer John Itanu, after defeating eight other candidates.
He has held the presidency for the past five years.
“He thanked the people and thanked the electoral commission and the candidates for making it a peaceful election,” Mr Laukai said, adding that the parliament would sit on June 15 which will also be inauguration day.
Former teacher Josephine Getsi became the first woman in Bougainville to win a seat in the election, considered a milestone win for the women of Bougainville.
The autonomous region of Papua New Guinea went to the polls on May 11, with vote counting across the island nearly completed.
A total of 342 candidates contested the election, which included 33 constituency seats, three reserved seats for women in parliament, three reserved for former combatants and the seat of president.
PACIFIC BEAT BY PACIFIC AFFAIRS REPORTER LIAM FOX
PHOTO John Momis shakes hands with acting Bougainville electoral commissioner George Manu after being re-elected as president of the Autonomous region.
TWITTER: BOUGAINVILLE NEWS
John Momis has been re-elected president of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, gaining around half of the votes.
He received 51,382 votes after leading the race since the start of week-long counting while his closest rival, Ismael Toroama, secured 18,466 votes.
Aloysius Laukai from New Dawn Radio told Pacific Beat Mr Momis had a distinct advantage due to his experience.
Voters were not in favour of a leadership change leading up to Bougainville’s upcoming referendum on independence in 2019.
“That’s why they were really supporting president Momis because they did not want newcomers, it takes time for them to learn the ropes of politics,” he said.
Mr Momis was declared the president-elect by Regional Returning Officer John Itanu, after defeating eight other candidates.
He has held the presidency for the past five years.
“He thanked the people and thanked the electoral commission and the candidates for making it a peaceful election,” Mr Laukai said, adding that the parliament would sit on June 15 which will also be inauguration day.
Former teacher Josephine Getsi became the first woman in Bougainville to win a seat in the election, considered a milestone win for the women of Bougainville.
The autonomous region of Papua New Guinea went to the polls on May 11, with vote counting across the island nearly completed.
A total of 342 candidates contested the election, which included 33 constituency seats, three reserved seats for women in parliament, three reserved for former combatants and the seat of president.
