Jimmy Miringtoro declared MP for Central Bougainville

Former MP and independent candidate Jimmy Miringtoro is the MP-elect for Central Bougainville, after the end of counting today in the Central Bougainville Open By-Election.

In a statement today, Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says Mr Miringtoro was declared MP-elect at Tupukas Primary School in Arawa at ten o'clock this morning by the Returning Officer Justine Pantumari.

Mr Miringtoro collected 7,868 votes in the 11th exclusion surpassing the absolute majority of set at 7,643.

His closest rival and PANGU candidate Lohial Nuau collected 4,168 votes, while independent candidate Flynn Naunsi Detou came third with 3,249 votes in a field of 14 candidates.

Mr. Miringtoro was a two term MP for Central Bougainville from 2007 to 2012 and was re-elected in 2012, before he was unseated by another former MP late Sam Akoitai in 2017.

Meanwhile, Mr Sinai commended the efforts of his election team on the ground for the successful conduct of the By-Election, given the limited resources, time, and space.