14 candidate to contest Bougainville Presidency

Updated November 14, 2008 18:37:34

A total of 14 candidates will contest the by-election for a new president of Papua New Guinea's autonomous region of Bougainville. They include Bougainville politicians in the PNG national parliament, the autonomous government, community leaders and former militants.The by-election will be held from the 6th till the 20th of December. It follows the death of President Joseph Kabui in June. Mr Kabui's elder brother, Martin Miriori who is a former international spokesman for the secessionist movement, is one of the condidates. The by-election's Returning Officer, Reitama Taravaru spoke to Sam Seke about the candidates that have been nominated before the close of nominations this afternoon.

presenter: Sam Seke
speaker: The Returning Officer for the Bougainville Presidential by-election, Reitama Taravaru

REITAMA TARAVARU: So far after the nominations opened on 5, Thursday, we so far accepted 12 candidates. The first one that came in was Nick Peniai, Edward Okuwau, Gerard Sinato, Sam Kauona, Clarence Cozxiune, James Tanis, Ruben Siara, Samuel Akoitai, Sylvester Niu, Joel Banam, Raymond Hakana and the last one I accepted some minutes ago was Patrick Leslie. I have a notice from Martin Miriori that is coming some time before 4 o'clock today. So I'm still waiting for the last one.

SAM SEKE: The people from the no-go zones in southern, central Bougainville, have they indicated whether they were going to participate in this presidential by-election?

REITAMA TARAVARU: Oh, yes. Telling by the number of candidates that they have endorsed into this election the indication is here they will all be involved in this election and they've indicated their support for this election.

SAM SEKE: So which candidates have they endorsed?

REITAMA TARAVARU: In south Bougainville there are a number of groups, there are different groups in there that have endorsed a number of candidates from central and south Bougainville. But I would think, from the information I got, I think Ruben Siara and Raymond Hakana.

SAM SEKE: Now, earlier this week you indicated that, because of no funding, police will not be providing security for the election. Is this still the case?

REITAMA TARAVARU: The letters I got from the police department is they have not yet secured the required funding to provide security for the elections but it's a concern for me that there must be security provided in the election but I have been given the instructions by the autonomous Bougainville Government through the Speaker in the issue of writ. We've already started the ball rolling so I'm not stopping the elections halfway. The information I got from a number of - even the candidates - there's assurances they will take responsibility, they will take ownership of the election and making sure that it is not disrupted in any way at all.