The URP candidate maintained a strong lead in the election that saw him collecting constant votes in all counts.
Lera was officially declared this afternoon at 1:24pm PNG Time and 2:24pm Bougainville Standard Time (BST) at the Hutjena counting centre by the PNGEC Bougainville Provincial Electoral Manager, Desmond Timiyaso.
The declaration was witnessed by PNGEC officials, police, scrutineers, students and the general public that were present at the counting centre.
