PNG to fund Bougainville presidential election
Updated
Papua New Guinea says it will fund a new presidential election for the Autonomous Bougainville Region, following the death of former President Joseph Kabui last month.
Our reporter in Port Moresby, Firmin Nanol, says the national government has given more than $US1 million to the Autonomous Bougainville Government to hold the election.
Bougainville's first president, Joseph Kabui, died last month of a heart attack leaving deputy President John Tabinaman in charge.
The late Mr Kabui was elected President when Bougainville's held it's first election as an autonomous region in June 2005, and was three years into a five year term when he died.
PNG's Electoral commission will organise and run the elections although a date has not been set.
Bougainville's governor, Fedilis Semoso, says a new president will be elected before the end of the year.
"The people of Bougainville are looking forward to having our president by the end of November 2008," he said.
