NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

190911 WRITS RETURNED
By Aloysius Laukai

Writs for the Tonsu Bye election was returned to the Speaker of the ABG House today as scheduled whilst the swearing in ceremony for the newly elected member for Tonsu has been deferred to Wednesday this week.

This is because the new member, JOEL LATU BANAM was in Madang at the weekend when he was declared as the new member for Tonsu last Friday night.

The new member, JOEL LATU BANAM could not secure seat for today and Tuesday however he is expected to arrive in Buka this Wednesday.

170911 BANAM HEADS HOME
By Aloysius Laukai

The former Leitana Council of Elders Chairman, JOEL LATU BANAM was declared as the newly elected member for Tonsu constituency in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The Returning Officer for the Tonsu Byelection declared MR. BANAM at 1230 just after midnight at the Buka counting centre.

MR. BANAM has tried several seats both in the National Parliament and the ABG until he came home last night.

He was in Madang when he was declared but would be in Buka by Monday to be sworn in as the new member for Tonsu.

Electoral Commissioner for Bougainville, REITAMA TARAVARU in welcoming the new member elect also thanked election officials including candidates supporters and scrutineers for the good conduct during election and up to declaration last night.

He said that he was happy everything went smoothly.

160911Banam still ahead
by Aloysius Laukai

Former chairman of Leitana Council of Elders, JOEL BANAM is still leading after the 9 elimination.
He started his lead from count 1 and is still leading.

Mr. Banam is still leading however one candidate Kout Kavop is getting closer at every elimination.

Picture of Ieta Kontiki Band at today's Independence Celebration
Picture by Therese Ericson

160911TONSU COUNT ON
by Aloysius Laukai

Former Leitana Council of Elders strognman, JOEL BANAM is leading after count three for the Tonsu By election.
Counting for the TONSU Byelection started at 10 am this morning and will continue until the winner is declared sometimes tonight.

13 candidates are vying for the top TONSU seat in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The seat was securely held by the former ABG Vice President IZEKIEL MASSAT since 2005 but was left vacant when the former member resigned early this year to contest the North Bougainville seat in the Papua New Guinea National Parliament.

This seat was left vacant when the former member for North Bougainville became the Governor General of Papua New Guinea.

MR. MASSAT won back his Tonsu at last Year's ABG General election.

He is not contesting this by election.
After Count three, Joel Banam was leading with 444 votes whilst the second place is held by FORMER Government Liason Officer, Kout Kavop with 351 votes
The others are Joel Noga on 246 and is running 3rd out of the 13 candidates.
Other Candidates are, UZZAIAH TOUKES is on 123,Dudley Matuan is on185,
Eddie Mohin is on 64,Michael Toreas is on 218.Israel Kout is on 72, Isaach Heken Thompson is on 80,Jonathan Ringin is on 65, Philimon Tulo is on 93,Ben Tsiu Chackchuck is on 110 whilst the first on the elimination list is John Dumit who scored only 49 votes.

160911 LEADERS PRAISED
By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President Chief John Momis today paid tribute to former Papua New Guinea leaders who had the vision to liberate Papua New Guinea from colonial masters to become a nation of thousand tribes.

MR. MOMIS made these remarks in Buka today as Bougainville joined the rest of Papua New Guinea to commemorate 36th Independence anniversary for the country.

He said leaders like Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Sir John Guise, Sir John Kaputin and many more stood firm to get Papua New Guinea get independence despite many prophets of doom saying that this will not happen.

MR. MOMIS said Chief Somare has led the nation in the last 36 years to become one united and progressive nation in the world.

The celebration in Buka was held at the Hutjena oval whilst one big celebration in Tinputz coincided with the bi annual event, TINPUTZ COCOA FESTIVAL.

Speakers at today’s celebration included the local ABG member for Tsitalato, COSMAS SOHIA and the new member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI.

Pictured is President Momis at Hutjena this morning.
Picture by Therese Ericson

160911 POOR PNG
By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President Chief John Momis says corruption, greed, misuse of public funds and public properties is killing Papua New Guinea after 36 years of independence.

He said that even though PAPUA NEW GUINEA was are resource rich country the people remained poor and most are living below poverty line because of bad leadership.

MR. MOMIS made these remarks at the Independence celebration in Buka this morning.

He said what is happening is not in line with what the first leaders wanted in Papua New Guinea.

The ABG President said that this has to stop and something must be done to review the course of the country.

He called on all Bougainvilleans to make sure they get rid of corruption from Bougainville.

160911 BOUG Clebetrates with PNG
by Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville has joined the rest of PNG in celebrating the country's 36 Independence commemoration.

Celebrations are currently being held at the Hutjena Oval on Buka island and in Tinputz to conincide with the Tinputz Cocoa Festival.
Will give you some pics of the celebrations later today....

160911TONSU COUNT ON
by Aloysius Laukai

Counting for the TONSU Byelection started at 10 am this morning and will continue throughout the weekend.

13 candidates are vying for the top TONSU seat in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The seat was securely held by the former ABG Vice President IZEKIEL MASSAT since 2005 but was left vacant when the former member resigned early this year to contest the North Bougainville seat in the Papua New Guinea National Parliament.

This seat was left vacant when the former member for North Bougainville became the Governor General of Papua New Guinea.

MR. MASSAT won back his Tonsu at last Year's ABG General election.

He is not contesting this by election.

New Dawn FM will be posting results at the count continues. Good luck to the 13 candidates.