29 Apr 2020

Bougainville's Momis says people are calling for him to stand again

6:36 am on 29 April 2020

Bougainville's President John Momis says he is still waiting to find out whether he's eligible to stand in this year's election.

In February the Bougainville parliament voted down an attempt by the government to change the constitution to allow a president to contest a third term.

Mr Momis, who has been Bougainville's president for the past two terms said to deny him the opportunity was to deny him his constitutional rights.

Bougainville President John Momis

Bougainville President John Momis Photo: supplied

He sought a reference from the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court on the actions of Bougainville's Parliament and said he could hear the result sometime this week.

Mr Momis is philosophical about the outcome, "if I am not eligible, of course, there is nothing I can do. I will go and retire and do something else."

Mr Momis has said people have been calling for him to stand again, to guide the region through the negotiations on the outcome of the referendum.