“What they know is that there is no other way out. Bougainville needs to move ahead, implement the Peace Agreement and conduct the referendum. So that the question of Bougainville independence is put to rest once and for all.”
Former Bougainville president, James Tanis Speaking to RadioNZ
James Tanis, says former opponents of the autonomous government have thrown their support behind next month’s election process.
The Papua New Guinea province goes to the polls for two weeks from May 11th.
Mr Tanis, who was president from 2008 to 2010 but is not standing this time, says there is broad agreement among the nine presidential candidates on the critical issues of mining and the independence referendum.
And he says last week he witnessed a delegation from the Panguna region, including members of the former separatist group the Me’ekamui, giving its backing to candidates and the autonomous government.
Mr Tanis says they recognise it is time to move on.
“What they know is that there is no other way out. Bougainville needs to move ahead, implement the Peace Agreement and conduct the referendum. So that the question of Bougainville independence is put to rest once and for all.”
He says, from what he is hearing, all the candidates seem committed to ensuring the referendum on possible independence from PNG, to be held within the next term, is successful.
“And so far I have heard, including President Momis, assuring that they are committed to Bougainville independence through a referendum. So there seems not much difference among the candidates, so far.”
FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR 2015 ELECTIONS
As nominations for the 2015 ABG General Elections closed at 4pm Bougainville Standard Time on Wednesday afternoon, it was officially declared that three hundred and forty-two candidates will be contesting in this year’s election.
Out of these three hundred and forty-two candidates, thirty-four are women candidates while the rest; two hundred and eight are all male candidates.
Out of these thirty-three women candidates, ten women will be contesting the North Bougainville Women’s seat; six women will be contesting the Central Bougainville women’s seat while seven women will be contesting the women’s seat for South Bougainville.
With a total of twenty-three women candidates vying for the only three reserved seats for women in parliament, only eleven women have decided to contest in the open seats and challenge the men.
CANDIDATES LISTS 2015 ABG General Elections
Presidential seat
No. Candidates names Box #
1 Nick F Peniai 10
2 Justin Pokata Kira 11
3 Sam Kauona 12
4 Peter Nerau 13
5 Sam Akoitai 14
6 Fr. Simon Dumarinu 15
7 Dr. Chief John Momis 16
8 Ismael Toroama 17
9 Reuben Siara 18
North Bougainville seats
Former Combatants
1 David Tsika 10
2 Ben Malatan Getsi 11
3 Glen Tovirika 12
4 Charles Tanahan Getsi 13
5 Franco Hopping 14
6 Francis Boisivere 15
7 Ben Kamda 16
8 Stanley Maiah 17
9 Julian Nahis 18
10 Stanis Sabuin 19
11 Ignatius Sopolo 20
12 Michael Mita Jimmy 21
13 Gregory Manau 22
14 Marcelline Getsi Laris 23
Women
1 Elizabeth Peahun 10
2 Lina Paii 11
3 Patricia Kapapal 12
4 Hellen Siumana 13
5 Francisca Semoso 14
6 Anastacia Lapointe 15
7 Macrine Sagi Lavi 16
8 Elizabeth Burain 17
9 Dr Naomi Tulaha 18
10 Dolores Teilu Rumina 19
Tsitalato
1 Robert Sikika 10
2 Scholastica Miriori 11
3 John Bosco Ragu 12
4 Cosmas Sohia 13
5 Godfrey Holi Lerrin 14
6 Fidelis Semoso 15
7 Pais Kenu Taboa 16
Peit
1 Daniel Tukana 10
2 Ernest Saliib 11
3 Hubert Pius Tihin 12
4 Raphael Keneh 13
5 Bernard Bobos 14
6 Jude Ariss 15
7 Gabriel Mahen Katun 16
8 Anthony Maneas 17
9 Simon Haoni 18
10 Paul Paro Musein 19
11 Josephine Getsi 20
12 Jerome Tsingoli Sawa 21
Tonsu
1 Isaac Heken Thompson 10
2 Kout Kavop 11
3 Joel L Banam 12
4 Benjamin Tsiuh 13
5 Jock Tuvuir 14
6 Cicely Kiots Kekun 15
7 Uzziah Toukes 16
8 Esban Giaria 17
9 Dudley Matuan 18
10 Ezekiel Joneh Masatt 19
11 Eddie Mohin Tugein 20
12 Israel Kout 21
13 Jerry Kavop 22
Haku
1 Denis Sareke 10
2 Sylvester Niu 11
3 Hona Holan 12
4 Michael Meten 13
5 Maximilian Bong 14
6 Benjamin Murana 15
7 Leslie Gimus 16
8 Augustine Matuna 17
9 Joe Elijah 18
10 Samuel Kameren 19
11 Thomas Dion Sohia 20
12 Simeon Jina 21
13 Paul Kehono 22
14 James Langer Biani 23
15 Philip Kunes 24
16 Robert Chika Tulsa 25
17 Mathew Biani Gagesin 26
18 Michael Latu Koran 27
19 Peter Gano 28
20 Nakin Aland 29
21 Wesley Tsurumi 30
22 Xavier Kareku 31
23 Peter Kiha 32
24 Anthony Tsiringin 33
Halia
1 Alphonse Ratsi 10
2 Ephraim Hakiolo 11
3 Mech Robin 12
4 Poly Sahoto 13
5 Patrick Nisira 14
Hagogohe
1 Regina Tsikoa 10
2 Robert Hamal Sawa 11
3 Gerald Hanette 12
4 Callistus Toarats 13
5 Peter Sohia 14
Selau
1 Terry Mose 10
2 Linus Sahoto 11
3 Luke Pawen 12
4 Tony Tsora 13
5 Peter Koben 14
6 Patrick Tsikoa 15
7 Joseph Watawi 16
8 Godfrey Torowin 17
9 John Cheung 18
10 Batholomew Kiwa Magara 19
11 Hillary Tsunno 20
12 Peter John Barik 21
13 Cornelius Getsi 22
14 Alfred Buakar
Nissan
1 Charry Napto Kiso 10
2 Nathaniel Brunis 11
3 Wilfred Reiter Hannett 12
4 Peter Dosti 13
5 Timothy Misiliu 14
6 Agnes Titus 15
Suir
1 Alex Amon 10
2 Paul Vinton 11
3 Anthony Rovesi 12
4 Vincent Vagasi 13
5 Paul Ebabon 14
6 Benny Primus 15
7 Luke Karaston 16
8 Maxwell Seselan 17
9 Peter Boemvi
Mahari
1 Anthony Tatsiua 10
2 Francis Kakarouts 11
3 John Tabinaman 12
4 Solomon Ngosei Gimis 13
5 Rachael Vau Tsien 14
6 John Komai 15
7 Herman Siriva 16
8 Chrissanto Poto 17
Teua
1 Robert Semoso 10
2 Daniel Tokapip 11
3 Charles Kakapetai 12
4 Joseph Nopei 13
5 Gerard Sinato 14
6 Nicholas Eteo 15
Taonita Tinputz
1 David Braun Vatavi 10
2 Bruno Babato 11
3 Dyson Kaetavara 12
4 George Irei Sayer 13
5 Aloys Tony Devui 14
6 Robert Singko Kekevio 15
Taonita Teop
1 Micah Mose 10
2 Ezekiel Ivihi 11
3 Raopos Apou Tepaia 12
4 Rita Mamavi Pearson 13
5 Rex Marlon Veoriva 14
6 Albert Toro Morokea 15
7 Lesley Sorou 16
8 Rev. Robert Malachi Sanasi 17
9 Joel Toges 18
10 Joseph Tomisa Gitovea 19
11 Gordon Purupuru 20
Atolls
1 Aruka Kareo 10
2 Raymond Masono 11
3 Bernard Tunim 12
4 Pasini Marena 13
5 Taehu Pais 14
6 Huitona Tohua 15
7 Alfred Lulu 16
8 Fr. John Bosco Kensie 17
Central Bougainville seats
Former Combatants
1 Danny Muntaa 10
2 Linus Dakei Junior 11
3 Demus Aumo Vaii 12
4 Isoa Kauona 13
5 Steven Topesi 14
6 Daniel Busula 15
7 Noah Doko 16
Women
1 Joan Jerome 10
2 Marcelline Kokiai 11
3 Elizabeth Bade Niniku 12
4 Lynette Ona 13
5 Florence Wangi 14
6 Angela M Kavaru 15
Rau
1 Robert Baranangko 10
2 Simon Simoli 11
3 Simon Rumbia 12
4 Steven Teteo 13
5 Joseph Kakito 14
6 Pais Tatevi Geviahic 15
7 Thomas Keriri 16
8 Obed J Arito 17
9 Martin Norrie 18
Terra
1 Robin Wilson 10
2 Joseph David Monsin 11
3 Francis Hasing 12
4 Anton Kinomen 13
5 Leo Reivasi 14
6 Jacob Rerevate 15
Eivio Torau
1 Clarence Dency 10
2 Lawrence Sirapui 11
3 Joseph Birunoim 12
4 Robin Naika 13
5 Channel Suston 14
6 Francis P Hera 15
7 Isidore Okowai 16
8 Melchior Dare 17
9 Richard Birikos 18
10 Julian Javi 19
11 Albert Tosia 20
Ioro
1 Michael Oni 10
2 Martin Miriori 11
3 Raphael Evinu 12
4 Wendalinus Bitanuma 13
5 Boniface Arunara 14
6 Michael Lapolela 15
North Nasioi
1 Arnold Baraung 10
2 Steven Kiwi 11
3 Mark Niniku 12
4 Dominic Diuka 13
5 Frank Nigu 14
6 Oti Asotau 15
7 David Dewe Dentana 16
8 Nicholas Darku 17
9 Mathias Roman Salas 18
10 Steven Simiha 19
South Nasioi
1 John Ken 10
2 Thaddeus Davanara 11
3 David Sisito 12
4 Paias Marko 13
5 Gregory Birona 14
6 Simeon Tampaaka 15
7 Ismenia Ketsin 16
8 John Okia 17
9 Simon Oriai Dasiona 18
Kongara
1 Dominic Itta 10
2 Graham Davaku 11
Kokoda
1 John Narebo 10
2 Lawrence Hakout 11
3 Moses Siparu 12
4 Robert Ereva 13
5 Edmund Bampa 14
6 Rodney Osioco 15
South Bougainville Seats
Former Combatants
1 Thomas Tari NA
2 Cornelius Solomon NA
3 Joshua Kangku NA
4 Peter Naguo NA
5 Simon Tohui NA
Women
1 Lillian Tinga Ahai NA
2 Bernadette Neras NA
3 Rose Pihei NA
4 Jembosheba Matanie NA
5 Dorothy Kani NA
6 Martha Kareba NA
7 Isabella Peta NA
Konnou
1 Bruno Laita NA
2 Miriam Labanue NA
3 Willie Masiu NA
4 Andrew Peugai NA
5 Wilfred Komba NA
6 Mary Mamatau NA
7 Kaison Potoura NA
8 John Kebau NA
Lule
1 John Kinani Kore
2 Robert Korupai
3 Mathew Nanou
4 Francis Toke
5 Xavier Pirigi
6 Joseph Kopana Putubu
7 Joseph Kangki Nabuai
8 Joseph Kinani Kaima
Makis
1 Michael Laita 10
2 Muure Joseph Kamuai 11
3 John Vianney Kepas 12
4 Joseph Mokuma 13
5 Raphael Siko 14
6 Newton Kauva 15
7 Aloysius Tumare 16
Baubake
1 Steven Kopana 10
2 Jonathan Komba 11
3 John Pookey Sigere 12
4 Charles Laia 13
5 Joseph Buia 14
6 Paul Bakoi 15
7 Joseph Tooke 16
8 Thomas Joseph Lugabai 17
Torokina
1 Thomas Usu NA
2 John Pama NA
3 William Epota NA
4 Godfrey Barako NA
5 Francis Makita NA
6 George Diva NA
7 Steven Suako NA
8 Boniface Wadari NA
9 Robin Kenaus NA
10 Michael Piriri NA
Motuna Huyono Tokunutui
1 Albert Punghau 10
2 David Transcend Pumau 11
3 Aloysius Luku 12
4 Thomas Wawoitu 13
5 Nicholas Lauta 14
6 Paul Lapun 15
7 Andrew Kambai 16
8 Francis Hurahura 17
Kopii
1 John Hirupe 10
2 Simon Sipiau 11
3 John Sania 12
4 Jacob Moio Tanasu 13
5 Sammy Maurua 14
6 Philip Kuhena 15
7 Seru Maimoi 16
8 Peter Siunai 17
9 Michael Komoiki 18
10 Peter Uniu 19
Ramu
1 John Karou 10
2 Sam Tanari 11
3 Rev. Ben Toworai 12
4 Thomas Pataaku 13
5 Tony Poroni 14
6 Michael Nabuai Cornelius 15
Bolave
1 Michael Anugu 10
2 Joe Kaleaa 11
3 Thomas Kama 12
4 Simon Wergon 13
5 Francis Takuko 14
6 Martin Koba 15
7 Joan Nenoari 16
8 Dennis Alexman Lokonai 17
Lato
1 Chris Tuwen 10
2 Philip Rumbali 11
3 Gideon Siaka 12
4 Christopher Kena 13
5 William Lavabua 14
6 William Tomokas 15
7 Patrick Leslie 16
Baba
1 Thaddeus Kaile 10
2 Thomas Pabakumi 11
3 Cosmas Namahui 12
4 Emmanuel Carlos Kaetavara 13
5 John Urubau 14
6 Bernard Namung 15
7 Patrick Heromate 16
8 Philip Silas 17
9 William Silamai 18
10 James Hayu 19
11 Paul Wagum 20
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