Francesca Semoso

Semoso sworn in as North Bougainville MP

Semoso won the by-election after the incumbent MP, William Nakin passed on during the counting period in the 2022 National elections.

The Deputy Speaker facilitated the swearing-in witnessed by MPs from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and other MPs.

Semoso when giving her speech called for a collective effort from all the leaders to change Bougainville going forward.

“It is an honour for me to stand here today and represent the people of North Bougainville as well as the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

PM Marape commends Semoso’s victory

He said the election of Ms Semoso as North Bougainville MP is a resounding testament to PANGU’s commitment to promoting women's leadership in Papua New Guinea.

Her victory came having secured an impressive 13,270 votes, surpassing her 16 competitors.

This historic win further bolsters PANGU Pati's representation, increasing the party's count to 54 MPs following their triumph with 39 seats in the 2022 National General Election.

 “I congratulate Ms Semoso on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, PANGU Pati, and my family. I also thank all other candidates.

Semoso declared North B’ville MP

Semoso who contested the seat under the Pangu Pati banner polled 14, 851 votes ahead of Lauta Atoi with 13, 482. She was declared on Sunday 29th October.

Semoso will be the third woman member of the National Parliament after she won the North Bougainville open seat in a by-election.

The MP-elect also becomes the first woman from Bougainville to win a seat in PNG's national parliament.

The by-election followed the sudden death of William Nakin, who had retained the seat but died during the vote count last year.

PANGU endorses Semoso for North Bougainville

Marape said in recognizing the need to elevate more women to the National Parliament, Ms Semoso has stood out in North Bougainville as a strong candidate hence her selection by the party.

“In recognition of the need to elevate more women to the National Parliament, Ms Semoso has stood out in North Bougainville hence her selection,” said Marape.

“Ms Semoso has shown strong leadership in Bougainville where she is active among the community. For Bougainville, we are well aware of the role women play in traditional and contemporary cultures and Ms Semoso’s involvement.

Vital to complete referendum process: Semoso

She says only then, both governments can know what the people of Bougainville want and prepare for the outcome.

Semoso, who attended the 1st Joint Supervisory Body meeting in Arawa last Friday between the PNG Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government, said it’s important that the process of Referendum is complete.

“There’s a lot of pros and cons, a lot of people are saying that we are not ready, but Bougainvilleans are saying, ‘We are ready’,” she stated.

More women need to become MPs: Semoso

These were the words of Deputy Speaker of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Francesca Semoso, after returning from a two-day workshop in Brisbane, Australia.

“There are decisions that are being made that are male-oriented and do not cater for women and children,” said Semoso.

She outlined that the workshop in Brisbane was funded by the United Nations Development Program and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and focused on male views as to why women struggled to get into parliament.