Independent and lone woman candidate Rachel Opeti Konaka is currently in the top three of the counting results for the North Bougainville open seat.
After count 30 today (Thursday July 12, 2017), Konaka is trailing on the second spot with total votes of 1348.
Womenfolk in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have come out clear on May this year during the unification of the Bougainville Women’s Federation with the Papua New Guinea Women’s Council forum in Arawa, Central Bougainville. The woman said to vote women into the next Parliament of the National Government.
And with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville renowned for implementing the Temporary Special Measures (TSM) Policy of promoting women into politics, this already sees a positive outlook on more women to be voted into Parliament.
This is also reflected in the three women’s reserve seats in the Bougainville House of Representatives.
Konaka’s second spot after count 30, already draws conclusion on the counting for the National General Elections which is underway at the Hutjena Secondary School hall in Buka Island.
Meanwhile progressive results sees the former Chief Secretary to the Autonomous Bougainville Government who is also the Independent Candidate, Chris Siriosi leading the race, 2387.
Konaka is on second place with 1348 and the sitting People’s National Congress Party’s Lauta Atoi on third placing with 1109.
In the North Bougainville regional count, after count 28, film maker Albert Toro was leading with, 3307, sitting MP, Joe Lera with 1850, and Patrick Nisira with 1264.
