The 124 members of the National Parliament are elected from single-member constituencies by limited instant-runoff voting; voters are given up to three preferences, with a candidate declared elected once they received over 50% of preference votes.[2] Of the 124 members, 102 are elected from "open" seats (increased from 96 in the 2022 elections),[1] with the remainder elected from "provincial" seats based on the twenty provinces, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the National Capital District. The winners of the provincial seats also become the provincial governor.[3]
Campaign
Along with common key issues such as crime, employment and poverty, one specific issue for debate will be the status of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, where 98% of the population voted for independence in a 2019 referendum. Bougainville is expected to achieve independence by 2027 if an agreement is ratified by the National Parliament.[4]
