Tsiamalili Jnr declared governor-elect for Bougainville

PETER Tsiamalili Jnr has been declared regional member for Bougainville after counting for the by-election was completed last night in Buka, North Bougainville.
Provincial assistant returning officer Simon Soheke confirmed from the counting hall at Hutjena Secondary School that “Tsiamalili was declared member-elect”.
After the final elimination of Pangu Pati candidate Albert Punghau, Tsiamalili polled 37,534 votes finishing ahead of Simon Dumarinu (34,790).
The absolute majority is 36,163.
Tsiamalili, the former Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation executive director, and Simon Dumarinu were in a tight race when counting drew to a close yesterday.
He led a field of six candidates vying for the Bougainville regional seat by-election.
Soheke said there were some issues raised by service providers which were sorted before counting was completed.
During the declaration last night, Tsiamalili thanked the people of Bougainville for having faith in his leadership.
“I am privileged and very honoured that those voters across the length and breadth of the island who had turned up to vote for us (candidates), I’m happy they chose me,” Tsiamalili said after giving his thanks to the electoral officials, scrutineers and other candidates.
“They have put me in a position where there is a big challenge – we have a lot of work to do in a small amount of time (14 months until the next election).”
“When I put my hand up to contest, I made it very clear that I had one agenda: To support our president (Ishmael Toroama) to get our (Bougainville’s) independence.”
“I look forward to working with our president and all our constituency members for the next 14 months.”
“I want to give recognition to all the voters – those who voted for me and those who didn’t – the seat I hold now, I am responsible for all of you, all of us. There is no North, there is no South.
“Listen to me clearly Bougainville. In this role, I don’t want to be talking about ‘North’, ‘Central’ or ‘South’.
“From today, I will be talking about ‘Bougainville’.
“We are talking about a country.
“We are not trying to differentiate ourselves and break away from each other.”