Polling begins in Central Bougainville by-election

Voters in Central Bougainville have started polling to elect a new representative in the parliamentary by-election, following the passing of their former MP.

Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai confirmed that all election materials have arrived in Kieta and are currently being sorted and distributed to polling sites across the electorate.

A total of 39 polling teams were deployed over the weekend to the three local-level government areas: Wakunai, Kieta, and Panguna, in preparation for the polls.

Polling will take place over five days, after which ballot boxes will be transported from the various polling sites to a central counting location. Counting is scheduled to begin on June 7.

The writ for the by-election is expected to be returned on or before June 27.

The Central Bougainville seat became vacant following the death of the late Member of Parliament, Fr. Francis Dumarinu, in August last year.