Five Bougainville women have put their hands up to challenge their male counterparts in this year’s Bougainville election.
Two are members of the outgoing parliament, the Deputy Speaker and North Bougainville Women’s Representative, Hon Francisca Semoso, and the Women’s Representatives for Central, Hon Magdelene Toroansi.
Deputy Speaker Semoso has nominated to contest the Tsitalato seat vacated by former Member Hilary Laris, while Magdelene Toroansi has decided to move one step higher by contesting the presidential seat currently occupied by James Tanis.
The other women candidates challenging male counterparts are Elizabeth Sukina (Kopi), Marcheline Kokiai (Ioro) and Mary Mamatau (Konnou).
Ms Toroansi has an uphill battle standing against big names like John Momis, James Tanis, Reuben Siara and Martin Miriori.
But these five women will pose a real challenge if other women rally behind them in order to capture these seats.
Meanwhile, thirteen other women are contesting the three reserved seats of North, Central and South Bougainville.
Seven have nominated to contest the women’s reserved seat in North Bougainville, six in the South and five in Central.
The three ex-combatants’ seats have attracted 13 candidates and there are seven candidates vying for the region’s highest political post of president.
Current President, Hon James Tanis, is being challenged by six others including long-time politician and former PNG Ambassador to China, John Momis who is making his second attempt for the post.
A total of 294 candidates will be contesting this second ABG election.
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