'We want legitimate leaders': Bougainvilleans head to the polls amid push for independence

'We want legitimate leaders': Bougainvilleans head to the polls amid push for independence

Polls will open at 8am local time (9am NZ time), with some 404 candidates contesting for 46 seats in the Bougainville parliament, including a record 34 women.

‘We want legitimate leaders’: Bougainvilleans head to the polls amid push for independence

By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Bougainvilleans went to the polls today, keen to elect a leader who will continue their fight for independence. “There’s a mood of excitement among the people here,” said Electoral Commissioner Desmond Tsianai. “It is important that this election is successful and credible, because we want legitimate leaders in the government, who will continue discussions with Papua New Guinea over independence,…