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A presidential and parliamentary election was held in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville between 12 August and 1 September 2020.[1] 440 candidates were contesting the 40 seats in the Bougainville House of Representatives, including 25 competing to be President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.[2] The new government will negotiate the outcome of the 2019 Bougainvillean independence referendum, which saw 98.3% of voters supporting independence from Papua New Guinea.
Originally scheduled to be held in May,[3] the elections were delayed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, first until June,[4] and then again until August.[1]
On 21 August 2020 the Electoral Commissioner announced that polling had almost been completed, one week ahead of schedule.[5] On 24 August a police officer was suspended for allegedly interfering with the election.[6] Several other officers are under investigation.
- ^ a b "Bougainville allowing for three week election because of Covid-19". RNZ. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Bougainville election underway today". RNZ. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Bougainville Speaker to issue writs for upcoming election". RNZ. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Electoral process in Bougainville to begin in June". RNZ. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Bougainville voting close to done". RNZ. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Bougainville police officer suspended over election allegations". RNZ. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.