A former president of Bougainville says he expects little politicking in the incoming parliament as MPs focus on preparations for the referendum on independence.
Votes are now being counted in the autonomous Papua New Giunea region after a two week long voting process.
James Tanis, who was president from 2008 to 2010, says everyone will now be thinking of the referendum on possible independence from PNG, which has to be held before 2020.
"That is the big picture. That Bougainville is going towards a referendum. A referendum that me, Sam Kauona, Ishmael [Toroama - along with Sam Kauona, a candidate in the presidential contest] - we, the former BRA [Bougainville Revolutionary Army] we all support, and I don't see there will be much politicking or room for instability because by then we will be trying to move forward in preparation for the referendum, to make sure we do get what we struggled for."
