South Bougainville by-election

Poor voter turnout during South Bougainville by-election

According to Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, the total eligible voting population was 55, 000 but only 21, 000 casted their votes.

From the figures, more than half of the voting population did not vote.

Timothy Masiu, who was declared the winner in front of 11 other candidates on July 4, 2016, collected 8, 323 votes.

The election writs were returned to Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio last Thursday morning, and he was sworn into office by Parliament Speaker Theo Zurenouc a few hours later.

Timothy Masiu to be sworn into Parliament

Electorial Commissioner Patilias Gamato this morning returned the Writs of South Bougainville by-election to the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio.

The Peoples Progress Party candidate was declared winner in front of 11 other candidates on July 4, 2016.

Masiu collected 8, 323 votes.

Commissioner Gamato said the counting and declaration for the seat left vacant by the death of former MP Steven Pirika Kamma was done in record time.

"The counting was done in record time of three days, normally it takes 10-12 days," Gamato said.