# 2015 Bougainvillean general election

A presidential and parliamentary election was held in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville between 11 May and 25 May 2015. Incumbent President John Momis won re-election, the first President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to do so.

## Campaign

A total of 342 candidates contested the election, involving the 33 constituency seats, three seats reserved for women and three seats reserved for former combatants in the Bougainville House of Representatives and the presidency itself. A total of 104,542 valid votes and 1,685 informal votes were cast. The common roll included approximately 173,000 registered voters.

### Presidential candidates

Nine candidates contested the presidency: incumbent President John Momis (New Bougainville Party), former Speaker of the House Nick Peniai (Bougainville Labour Party), former national Minister for Bougainville Affairs Sam Akoitai (Bougainville Islands Unity Party), and independent candidates Justin Pokata Kira, Sam Kauona, Peter Nerau, Simon Dumarinu, Ishmael Toroama and Reuben Siara.

### Independence referendum

As a part of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, the island was scheduled to hold a referendum on independence before 2020. The upcoming 2019 Bougainvillean independence referendum was an issue in the election, as whichever administration was elected would be in charge of managing the referendum. Analysts reported that incumbent president John Momis received support because his experience was seen as valuable for managing the referendum.

## Results
### Presidential election

The presidential election was held under the instant-runoff voting system, with voters classifying up to three candidates. John Momis received a clear plurality of first-preference votes with 48,826. Momis was easily re-elected, achieving an absolute majority on the fourth elimination with a total of 51,382 votes. His nearest competitor, former rebel commander Ishmael Toroama, finished with 18,466 votes. Sam Kauona and Sam Akoitai settled for third and fourth placings with 14,965 and 11,523 votes respectively.

### Parliamentary election

The election marked the victory of Josephine Getsi, the first woman to win an open seat in the Bougainville House of Representatives. Of the 39 constituencies in the Bougainville House of Representatives, only 14 incumbent members were re-elected. All women's and former combatants' seats saw new members elected.
North Bougainville District :
| Constituency | Candidates | Elected |
| Women | 10 | Francesca Semoso |
| Former Combatant | 14 | Ben Malatan Korus |
| Atolls | 8 | Raymond Masono |
| Hagogohe | 5 | Robert Hamal Sawa |
| Haku | 24 | Robert Chika Tulsa |
| Halia | 5 | Patrick Nisira |
| Mahari | 8 | John Tabinaman |
| Nissan | 6 | Charry Napto Kiso |
| Peit | 12 | Josephine Getsi |
| Selau | 14 | Joseph Watawi |
| Suir | 9 | Luke Karaston |
| Taonita Teop | 11 | Raopos Apou Tepaia |
| Taonita Tinputz | 6 | David Braun Vatavi |
| Teua | 6 | Charles Kakapetai |
| Tonsu | 13 | Ezekiel Massat |
| Tsitalato | 7 | Fidelis Semoso |
Central Bougainville District :
| Constituency | Candidates | Elected |
| Women | 6 | Marcelline Kokiai |
| Former Combatant | 7 | Noah Doko |
| Eivo/Torau | 11 | Clarence Dency |
| Ioro | 6 | Michael Lapelela |
| Kokoda | 6 | Rodney Osioco |
| Kongara | 2 | Dominic Itta |
| North Nasioi | 10 | Nicholas Darku |
| Rau | 9 | Thomas Keriri |
| South Nasioi | 9 | Simon Dasiona |
| Terra | 6 | Robin Wilson |
South Bougainville District :
| Constituency | Candidates | Elected |
| Women | 7 | Isabel Peta |
| Former combatant | 5 | Thomas Tarii |
| Baba | 11 | William Silamai |
| Baubake | 8 | Jacob Tooke |
| Bolave | 8 | Dennis Alexman Lokonai |
| Konnou | 8 | Louis Miriki Masiu |
| Kopii | 10 | Philip Kuhena |
| Lato | 7 | Christopher Kena |
| Lule | 8 | Joseph Kangki Nabuai |
| Makis | 7 | John Vianney Kepas |
| Motuna/Huyono | 8 | Albert Punghau |
| Ramu | 6 | Thomas Pa'ataku |
| Torokina | 10 | Steven Suako |
$^A$ incumbent candidates who were re-elected are in italics. :