The Writs for the Fifth Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) General Elections were officially issued by the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives at the Parliament House Monday.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Bougainville Parliament, Simon Pentanu, highlighted the importance of this democratic process for Bougainville’s political journey.
“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,” the Speaker said.
He also commended Bougainville’s proud record of conducting credible and peaceful elections, calling on all Bougainvilleans to uphold this legacy.
“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,” Speaker Pentanu added.
Speaker Pentanu further acknowledged the vital role women have played in Bougainville politics, noting the active participation of women representatives in Parliament and at regional and international parliamentary forums.
Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Desmond Tsianai described the issue of writs as a small but significant event in the electoral calendar as it officially opens the commencement of all other election activities in the region.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives, the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the people of Bougainville for entrusting my office with the task to conduct the 2025 Fifth Bougainville General Elections,” Commissioner Tsianai said.
“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.”
Candidate nominations will commence Tuesday 8th July 2025, marking the next important phase in the elections process. Nominations for the single-member constituency seats, including the former combatants’ and regional women’s seats, will be lodged at the respective regional OBEC offices, while nominations for the presidential seat will be conducted at the OBEC headquarters in Buka.
“We have disseminated information on candidate nominations weeks prior to the issue of writs and I believe all intending candidates are well vested with the nominations criteria, the nomination locations and how to nominate,” Commissioner Tsianai added.
A seven-week campaign period will follow the completion of nominations and the order of draw. OBEC has called on all intending candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully, in keeping with Bougainville’s history of fair elections.
“I hereby appeal to all intending candidates to ensure that their campaigns are done in an acceptable and peaceful manner and not to instigate problems that may arise during the campaign period,” he said.
Campaigning will officially end on 2nd September 2025, with polling set to begin on 04 September 2025…. PACNEWS
