Nominations have opened in Papua New Guinea for the post of president in the autonomous province of Bougainville following last Hune's death of the incumbent, Joseph Kabui.
Among the candidates are the former commander of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, Sam Kauona, and a former PNG mining minister, Sam Akoitai.
Others to stand include James Tanis, as well as the Bougainville parliamentary speaker Nick Peniai who resigned to contest the election.
A new leader is expected to be chosen by the end of the year.
PNG's Post-Courier newspaper reports the election is being held under Bougainville's laws which shows another step towards total independence expected in a 2015 vote.