Building on past experience in citizen election observation, the Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) conducted an impartial, independent, and objective assessment of the 2022 Papua New Guinea (PNG) General Election in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). The observation aimed to promote a process that is free from all forms of violence, including violence against women in elections (VAW-E) and assess the polling environment, the preparedness of the election management bodies, voting participation, and the counting environment.

With financial support from the United States Agency for International Development and technical assistance from the National Democratic Institute, BWF engaged its network of volunteers in the region’s mainland 11 districts to monitor the election campaign period, polling, and the vote counting process. Three long-term-observers were stationed, one in each region (North, Central, and South Bougainville), and monitored the election campaign and the vote counting, while 26 short-term observers gathered quantitative and qualitative data at and around polling stations.

At the end of the project, BWF President, Ms. Barbara Tanne, concluded, “In Bougainville, the polling process was largely smooth, with most polling teams making efforts to deliver the election as well as they were able to, with what was available to them. Polling officials’ attendance rates were high, and police were present at all of the monitored polling places. The voting process was calm and orderly, and no significant instances of violence, intimidation, or block voting were reported in the polling booths monitored by our observers. The secrecy of the vote was largely respected in the monitored polling booths, despite a few voters not folding their ballots properly or polling compartments not being set up in a way to provide complete privacy.”

A host of issues—including the late arrival of the electoral material from Port Moresby and prolonged  negotiations with service providers in the South and Central electorates regarding outstanding payments  for past election cycles—led to a deferral of the start of the polling in Bougainville and last- minute changes of polling locations and venues. BWF’s observers found that, in some instances, limited  awareness about the polling date and place might have hindered voter participation. Additionally, in a  number of polling booths, voters did not find their names on the common roll, although they said they  had registered.

Reflecting on the project findings, Ms. Melvine Giobun, BWF election observation coordinator, said,  “while deficiencies marked the election administration and voting procedures, the polling was overall  peaceful and inclusive. However, to consolidate citizens’ trust in the democratic process and avoid  disincentivizing voters, BWF calls on the PNG Election Commission to exert efforts to learn from the  shortcomings of the current election administration process and improve its planning and organization  to meet basic standards of transparency and integrity.”

Following a high number of violent incidents in the country’s highlands provinces—where around 50 people were killed, many remain displaced, and schools and private property were burned down—, as well as allegations of fraud and complaints of inefficient administration, a growing number of candidates, observers, and analysts have been demanding a review of the 2022 PNG National General Election.

To leverage the momentum generated by the new government’s commitment to address recurring electoral issues ahead of the next national election, scheduled for 2027, BWF will continue to advocate for a thorough and inclusive analysis on the delivery of this year’s election, including an audit of the common roll, and will contribute evidence-based recommendations for reforms to consolidate the democratic system in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville.

BWF is a statutory office that advocates for women’s empowerment in post-conflict Bougainville. BWF chapters cover the region’s 13 districts. The organization is also represented at the Council of Elders, the Community Government, and ward levels. BWF engages in advocacy to ensure legislation, policies and programs developed and amended by the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are inclusive and responsive to the needs and priorities of women in Bougainville. To monitor the 2022 General Election, BWF drew on its experience and built on findings from the observations of the 2015 AROB election, the 2019 Bougainville Referendum, 2020 AROB general elections, and 2021 by-election for the PNG National Parliament.