Independent candidate Jimmy Miringtoro has been declared the winner of the 2025 Central Bougainville By-Election in Arawa counting center after securing an absolute majority of 7,868 votes.
The former two-term MP and State Minister signed the writ at the counting center before the election officials this morning.
The by-election, which saw a total of 18,714 allowable ballots cast, concluded with Miringtoro surpassing the required absolute majority threshold of 7,643 votes.
His closest contenders were Lohial Nuau of the Pangu Pati, who polled 4,168 votes, and fellow independent candidate Flynn Naunsi Detou with 3,249 votes.
A total of 15 candidates contested the by-election, including representatives from the Papua New Guinea Party and Social Democratic Party, as well as several other independents.
However, none were able to match Miringtoro’s strong showing, which ultimately led to his victory on the 11th exclusion.
The by-election recorded 628 informal ballots, and 3,429 ballots were marked as exhausted during the counting process, leaving 18,714 valid votes.
Miringtoro, a seasoned political figure, now returns to Parliament representing the people of Central Bougainville, a region crucial in Papua New Guinea’s ongoing political landscape and peace-building process.
His victory marks a significant win for independent candidates and reflects a strong mandate from the constituents of Central Bougainville.