310510 MOMIS LEADS PRESIDIENTIAL RACE
By Tom Kathoa

Papua New Guinea’s former Ambassador to China and long-time politician, Mr. John Momis holds a commanding lead for Bougainville’s top political post of president.

Ambassador Momis is leading the counting in all three regions of Bougainville with incumbent, James Tanis trailing him.

Since counting began a week ago the two leading candidates were going neck and neck, but the tide has stopped with Momis being dominant through out the count in all regions.

There are fifteen more constituencies to be counted, seven in the North, six still to be counted in South Bougainville and two more in Central Bougainville.

A miracle is required if other candidates including the president are to cause any change in the tally count.

President Tanis is reported to have a great support and following on Buka Island where there are six constituencies yet to be counted and this would be a real great test for the president.

The result of the presidential race would be the last seat to be declared.

Meanwhile, election counting officials have been urged to put extra hours of work to ensure counting is completed before the official return of writs on the 9th of June, next Wednesday.

A new government would be sown into office on the fifteenth of June, 2010.

Ends.

Comments

[Paulus]

Dear Bougainvilleans,

I write this open letter from Germany.
Because I learned my english at school and because I have no practice in writing and speaking the english language I say sorry regarding the mistakes in this letter.
In Germany we say : The words are not important - important is that the other one understands you.
This mentality is a result of thousends of years of German history because Germany is a mixture of more than 200 nations.

Regarding Bougainville I write to you because I understand that Bougainville is making history.

History because you are on the way to organice your country as an independent state.

Independence is the best way for the people and so for the country.

Ask yourself : who loves your children ?
Who loves your country ?
Who loves your nation ?
Who is determined to build in Bougainville a civilisation worthy of that love ?
Who is determined to release your people from the cruel dictatorship of others ?

John Momis AND James Tanis are both such persons.
Both say : BOUGAINVILLE FOR THE BOUGAINVILLE PEOPLE
Both know and say : A free and independent Bougainville can be won by hard work and organisation.

You - the Bougainville people - have the power to help John Momis and James Tanis on this march together with your fellow countrymen - if you have the WILL.

[Hakai]

We cannot be all Politicians. Some Bougainvilleans must strive hard to be Executors in order to deliver goods and services to the people.

[Brian]

Mr. Sam Maiha..thats not a bad idea at all.

One question, Sam...Why na you no bin go sanap lo election? Bougainville needs you, barata !!!

[Wang]

It is only 45.344%. Anything can happen for Tanis to come home. Also if Tanis wins Momis must nau remain in Bougainville and work along side Tanis or whoever that wins.

If Momis picks more votes in Buka, of course he is bound to win in the First Bout. Otherwise, by the look of things, Tanis would have been a second or third choice for those who put other candidates as their first choice.

However, rumours are saying that Momis has already win and his supporters are preparing traditional singsings for his entry into the Parliament.

[Sam Maiha]

Since Momis looks certain to win the race, he must choose Mr. Tanis as his Speaker if it is okay with Tanis.

Bougainville needs both Momis and Tanis. Iam sure they'd make a great combination for the next 5 years. Tanis representing almost 30% of the population must not be left on the sidelines.

Congratulations to all the other winning candidates.

In the meantime New Dawn; Keep up the great job. You are the only window for the outside world into Bougainville.

[Niu-13]

Thanks, aga(buinirai)…whether we like it or not Bougainville needs the likes of Momis and Hannette. With all due respect and without prejudice, the last House of Representative lacked leaders of their caliber, not to mention the fact that there were also a couple of honest leaders with brighter visions for the region, who served in the last Government. To these leaders, I pray that you all return to your seats.

[Buinirai]

The crisis ship was captained by late Kabui, Tanis,Miriori, Reuben, Mike Foster and Moses Havini.
Momis was in a different boat either achored in PNG or sailing on calm waters.

[Oromurui]

I think we should give credit where is due. Right now Bougainville needs the likes of Momis, Hannett and a couple of the elite Bougainvillians who currently contesting. If Momis get in he should start identifying up and coming young Bougainvillians whos got the potential for leadership which the current president is one of them. Tanis for me has the leadership qualities but is inexperienced, this is where the likes of Momis should come in and guide and mentor our up and coming young leaders.

[Peukatu]

With the president's office??? -If Momis wins, we know Momis is a colleague & long time friend of Somare, would he be sucked away as it was so in the 1975 uprising and its watering down with the handing of provincial govt?

[Pedro]

The other important consideration is, does John Momis have the stamina - he is already 68 years old. He will be 73 at the end of his first term. The position has already taken it's toll on a younger man - will Momis be able to keep up with the demands?

[Sr. Jeline Giris]

The counting in most places seems to be going on very smoothly! Good on yu ol wantok! I am so proud of how the counting and reporting seems to be going. Just keep up the good work and congratulations ol wantok blong mi! All my prayers goes to you all and congratulations to all the winners and the loosers! Let's show the world what Bougainville is made of! Let's continue to choose peaceful solutions to develop Bougainville!
Once again, Bravo New Dawn!!

[Fabian]

In order for Bougainville forward it needs people who are mature and have experience i politics. Not just picking someone from the street and voting for him or her to stand in the election. What will that type of leader do? Bougainville still has a long way to go and for this to occur we need leaders who have the brains in other words, speaking with action. Young politicians only know about politics. We have observed this with our naked eyes. Once elected they go and waste their time. Just imagine if the House of Representative is occupied by young leaders, will the ship move forward or backward? The captain therefore must have some skills, knowledge and understanding who has had past experiences.The ship needs a captain to move the ship steering it.On the other hand,a reminder Bougainville is still an autonomous region and not a country. We need to develop international relations. If the PNG Government and other donors dont pour in millions of kina to Bougainville, are we going to move forward. We still need to fix our economic structure. And for this to occur we need vibrant leaders.
Bougainville still needs a cleanup and for his to occur we have to be careful on whow we vote for.We have the three pillars which needs to be considered are arms disposal, law and order and weapons destruction. For so long their has been a political setbacks and we need to move forward.
We need leaders to move us forward.
To those posting comments please speak the right thing.Stop bush tracking and speaking with blind eyes.
We are trying to move forward and not backward...It is time we work together for a new Bougainville.
People like Momis have he dream for Bougainville.
We need leaders with intergrity and faith in God so that their work can bear fruit.
Join hands and let us move forward

[Johnson]

Please, enlighten us those of us who grew up or born dring the crisis era. Give us a round up on our political history -
what did Momis do for Bougainville as the longest serving MP and put a score card against the likes of Hannet, Dr Sarei, and the inspirational late Kabui?

[Wang]

Tanis is definitely coming home by the way the figures look.

[Joshua]

The race is no won yet, Koloura !! Tanis will come home in the last votes. Bougainville needs the calibre of this young politician. He may have some shortcomings, but he has done so much in just a short while.

With due respect to Momis & Hannette, with all their glorious past, we will but be taking five steps back with them at the helm. I say this in good faith.

We need new dynamic blood. The future is with the younger generation.

[Harding Koloura]

Since John Momis seems to be the winner of the presidential seat, there are sone paramount things that we as people of Bougainville need to take into consideration. One is, does John Momis have right motives for the people of Bougainville. Is John Momis going to fight for the people of Bougainville to help them achive their dreams that they have beeing fighting for many years?
The other thing is, John Momis is well known by PNG government and we need to be careful, that makesure, PNG government must not interverne ino ABG Government through him.

[Wang]

The common interest of all Bougainvilleans including all our candidates who are currently contesting the election are to liberate ourselves from the oppressors and return to our home land.

Maybe those interested to fight corruption, illegal arms, breakdown in Law and order, we should go home and join our own Autonomous Police Force.

[Paul]

Will John Momis, if elected to power, pursue major policy initiatives to develop and pursue a government of unity in Bougainville ?

Will John Momis, if elected to power, also pursue other major policy initiatives like good governance to fight corruption, revisit the peace process with particular reference to guns disposal, involvement of youths, women, churches and business houses in the development of Bougainville and its people, give priority to the Council of Elders as the basis for peace building, law and order and development of the people, and re-assessment of the ABG administration?

Will John Momis, if elected to power, not make the mistakes of the past ?

I hope + pray