The potential resumption of controversial mining activities, which were at the root of Bougainville's civil war in the 1990s, was reportedly a key issue in this election.[2]
There were twelve candidates at the by-election: Nick Peniai, Edward Okuwau, Gerard Sinato, Sam Kauona, Clarence Cozxiune, James Tanis, Ruben Siara, Sam Akoitai, Sylvester Niu, Joel Banam, Raymond Hakena and Patrick Leslie.[3] The two favourites had been considered to be Papua New Guinea's former mining minister Akoitai and former rebel leader Kauona.[4] In total, 14 candidates stood in the election.[5] Sinato represented Kabui's Bougainville People's Congress, while Hakena represented the New Bougainville Party.[6][7]
With 22,956 votes being cast, the election was won by James Tanis, a former Bougainville Revolutionary Army separatist and the third-place candidate in the 2005 election, with 11,112 votes. Akoitai finished second with 9,217 votes[8],.[9] Tanis was sworn in on 6 January 2009.[10]
