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BRC urges voters to check polling schedule

Eligible voters in and outside of Bougainville can now check the polling schedule to find out where and when to vote in their areas.

According to the polling schedule, polling is set to start on Saturday November 23 in some urban and remote locations, while the majority of polling is set to happen between Monday 25 November and Friday 29 November.

Chief Referendum Officer Mauricio Claudio said the schedule was developed according to the number of people enrolled in each ward and aims to make polling as smooth and as fair as possible.

“Polling will not be open for the full two weeks in every location, but for a few days to a whole week, depending on the number of people enrolled in that area,” Mr Claudio said.

“People need to now check where and when polling will take place so as not to miss out on casting their vote.”

The BRC explained that the Returning Officer can change the polling schedule if it is impracticable to follow – for example due to bad weather or natural disaster.

Eligible voters now have the opportunity to lodge an appeal or objection to the BRC about the polling schedule if they have concerns over the accessibility or security of polling locations. These queries can be raised with respective Assistant Returning Officers or BRC Regional Coordinators and will then be directed to the Referendum Returning Officer, John Sisiesi.

All queries and concerns can be raised either with respective Assistant Returning Officers or BRC Regional Coordinators which will then be directed to the Referendum Returning Officer, John Sisiesi.

The Chief Referendum Officer said the advance publication of the polling schedule is part of the BRC’s efforts to be inclusive, transparent and professional.

“Making the polling schedule available a month ahead of polling is another important step. As always, the process requires people to be active in getting themselves informed, or telling us if changes need to be made,” Mr Claudio.

The polling schedule was gazetted in Bougainville on 17 October and is available on the BRC website - http://bougainville-referendum.org/polling-schedule/

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