[5] South Bougainville remains the most politically unstable region of the island, with fourteen separate, armed militias operating in the area.
[6] Early election returns predicted a tight race between the two frontrunners, President James Tanis and challenger John Momis.
[9] The earliest results, which were reported from Central Bougainville, gave President Tanis a clear lead over the other candidates, with Tanis' 1405 votes leading all other candidates, including Reuben Siara, who placed second with 495 votes.
[13] Momis stated that his administration would focus on good governance, the disposal of ordnance and weapons, education and health.
[15] President James Tanis thanked Bougainvillean voters and pledged to support President-elect Momis during the transition of government.
[13] Momis was sworn into office as President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on June 10, 2010, at the Parliament house.
[16] On the day he was sworn in, President Momis appointed Patrick Nisira, the outgoing Works Minister in the Tanis administration and one of the few politicians to have retained his seat in the general election,[17] as his Vice President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
[3] During the presidential campaign, Tanis had stated, "There has been a growing opinion that the bottom line is independence.