Incumbent president James Tanis, a former separatist leader in the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, had been elected president in an early 2008 presidential by-election following the unexpected death of former president Joseph Kabui in June 2008. Kabui's death forced the by-election just 18 months before the scheduled presidential election in 2010.[4] Tanis was elected to serve as president for the remainder of Kabui's term. He sought re-election in 2010.
South Bougainville remains the most politically unstable region of the island, with fourteen separate, armed militias operating in the area.[3] Violence in southern Bougainville had decreased during James Tanis' presidency.[3]
Presidential candidates
Seven candidates contested the election, including incumbent James Tanis.[6] The number was down significantly from the fourteen candidates who ran during the 2008 presidential by-election.[6]
Martin Miriori – resident of Central Bougainville[6] Miriori is the older brother of former Bougainville President Joseph Kabui, who died in 2008.[6] He was a former international spokesperson for the Bougainville separatist movement.[6]
James Tanis – resident of Central Bougainville.[6] Tanis, the incumbent president of Bougainville first elected in 2008, was running for re-election to a full term. He was a former fighter and leader within the Bougainville Revolutionary Army during the civil war.
Magdalene Toroansi – resident of Central Bougainville.[6] Toroansi was the only female candidate in the 2010 presidential election.[6] She gave up her seat in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville parliament, a seat which had been specifically reserved for a woman, to contest the presidential election.[6] Toroansi had represented the Central Kieta constituency of Central Bougainville.[8]
Results
President
Early election returns predicted a tight race between the two frontrunners, President James Tanis and challenger John Momis. Both candidates initially led in early counting.[9]
The earliest results, which were reported from Central Bougainville, gave President Tanis a clear lead over the other candidates, with Tanis' 1405 votes leading all other candidates, including Reuben Siara, who placed second with 495 votes.[10] However, as more areas of the island were reported, Momis was able to significantly cut into Tannis lead. On May 27, Tanis lead Momis by just 268 votes, with 5,226 votes to Momis' 4,958.[11] By June 2, Momis had overtaken Tanis and the other candidates, leading his nearest rival, President James Tanis, by more than 8,000 votes.[12]
On 8 June at 14:30 Momis was declared the winner and president-elect of Bougainville.[13] Momis won 43,047 votes, or 52.35% of the total votes cast in the election.[13] The incumbent, President James Tanis, earned an estimated 17,205 votes.[13] Momis won the popular vote in both South Bougainville and Tanis' home region of Central Bougainville.[3]
More than three-quarters of the incumbent members of the House of Representatives were defeated in their re-election bids.[3]
Reactions
In his victory speech, Momis thanked Tanis for his service and pledged to continue successful programs by the Tanis government.[13] Momis stated that his administration would focus on good governance, the disposal of ordnance and weapons, education and health.[14] He also pledged "zero tolerance approach" to corruption, stated that less than 25% of incumbent members of the House of Representatives had been re-elected to office due to voter disgust with corruption and mismanagement in government.[15]
President James Tanis thanked Bougainvillean voters and pledged to support President-elect Momis during the transition of government.[13]
The new government, with Momis' full cabinet, was to be sworn in on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.[13][18]
Analysts view Momis as more in favor of continued autonomy and continued integration with Papua New Guinea,[3] while Momis' predecessor, James Tanis, supported full independence.[3] During the presidential campaign, Tanis had stated, "There has been a growing opinion that the bottom line is independence. If this mine (Panguna) funded PNG independence in 1975, then it can fund Bougainville autonomy and independence."[19]