More women contest in Bougainville elections
A total of 109 candidates have nominated to contest various seats in Central Bougainville for the 2025 Autonomous Bougainville Government [ABG] General Elections.
According to official nomination figures, 98 of the candidates are male, while 11 are female.
Of the women nominated, six are contesting single-member constituency seats, going head-to-head with male contenders, while five are vying for the Central Bougainville Women’s Regional Seat.
The strong turnout reflects growing political interest in the region and a steady increase in female participation in Bougainville’s political landscape, a trend that continues to gain momentum with each election cycle.
The candidates will now shift into campaign mode as they prepare to contest for positions in the 5th Bougainville House of Representatives.
In a bold step towards gender representation in South Bougainville, two women have thrown their hats into the political ring for the newly established constituencies of Wisai and Tonolei Coastal, standing among a field of male contenders in the upcoming 2025 Bougainville General Election.
Jackqueline Pari, from Oria village, has nominated to contest the Wisai Constituency seat, a newly created electorate under the revised electoral boundaries for the 5th Bougainville House of Representatives.
Pari will be contesting against five male candidates, including former ABG Member Willie Louis Masiu, Wilfred Junior Komba, Romolus Masiu, Joseph Rangkui, and Nehemiah Rerevere.
Meanwhile, in Tonolei Coastal, another newly established constituency, Mary Mamatau is set to challenge seven male candidates as she vies for a seat in the autonomous region’s parliament.
Her candidacy marks another significant effort by women to break through the male-dominated political space in Bougainville.
The nomination period officially closed on Thursday, July 10, with the Order of Draw conducted on Friday, July 11, finalizing the candidate placements on the ballot papers for the election.
Both Pari and Mamatau’s nominations have been received with interest by observers and advocates for women in leadership, as they highlight the continued push for inclusivity and equal representation in Bougainville politics.
In North Bougainville, up to eighteen [18] women have nominated across the constituencies and the North Bougainville Regional women's seat.
Their participation reflects a growing trend of women stepping forward to shape the future of the region.
