“2025 Bougainville Elections: What You Need to Know!”

Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Desmond Tsianai has reassured the public that the recently established Bougainville Constituent Assembly will not interfere with the upcoming Bougainville General Elections scheduled for 2025. He emphasized this point in light of public concerns about the impacts of the Assembly’s formation on the electoral process.

Tsianai stated, “I want to assure the general public that the creation of the Bougainville Constituent Assembly by the ABG will not have an impact on the conduct of the 2025 ABG Elections.” He clarified that the elections will adhere strictly to the established laws, including the current Constitution and the Elections Act, as stated in Section 107 of the Bougainville Constitution.

The Commissioner highlighted the allocation of election funds in the 2025 ABG Budget as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to conducting the elections in accordance with legislative guidelines. “If funding has been allocated by the ABG to conduct the elections, this clearly portrays that our Government is committed to having the elections conducted per the election schedule and by the set laws,” he added.

Furthermore, Tsianai explained the decision to shift the election dates from the periods seen in previous elections conducted in March and June, due to significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused delays in 2020. This timeline adjustment aims to follow the constitutional requirements, ensuring that the elections will take place within three months of the fifth anniversary of the last election’s Writs return date, specifically before September 24, 2025.

Looking at the broader context of the 2025 election, this election cycle also holds hope for enhancing democratic processes within the region. With the expected introduction of new single-member constituency seats, there is potential for increased representation and improved governance.

Overall, the upcoming elections symbolize a pivotal moment for Bougainville, representing not just a routine electoral process, but also an opportunity to reinforce democratic principles, bolster public trust, and enable citizen participation in governance. The emphasis on a transparent and fair electoral process could pave the way for a more vibrant democracy, ensuring that the voices of Bougainvilleans are heard and respected.