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Electoral/Political Party Reform – 2005

Francis Ona and his Me’ekamui Defence Force (MDF) did not join the weapons collection process. The weapons disposal compliance was finally completed in 2005.

The first elections for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville were held from May 20 through June 2. They were deemed fair and transparent by the International Observer Team.¹ In a press release on June 15, 2005, the President of the Security Council “congratulated the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the people of Bougainville on this achievement and took note that those internationally observed elections, which reflect the expressed will of the people of Bougainville, mark a significant and historical landmark in the Bougainville peace process” (Press Release SC/8411, June 15, 2005).

The first general election for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville used a ‘First-Past-the-PostÕ voting system as stipulated in Section 109(a) of the Constitution. All subsequent elections of the President and members of the House of Representatives will be held under a preferential voting system as set out in section 109(b). In the election, Joseph Kabui was elected Bougainville’s first president.

1. “Report of the Commonwealth-Pacific Islands Forum Expert Team,” General Election for the Autonomous Bougainville Government, May-June 2005, http://www.thecommonwealth.org/shared_asp_files/uploadedfiles/E26ADF45-7…, accessed December 15, 2010.