Referendum will still take place
THE referendum to decide Bougainville’s future political status will still take place, says the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Mr George Manu.
Mr Manu gave this assurance last week Friday when giving updates to media personnel in Buka on the outcomes of the recent meeting of the Bougainville Referendum Commission Transitional Committee (BRCTC).
“Ï can assure you all that we will still conduct the referendum,” Mr Manu said.
The above undertaking signifies that the BRCTC is positive that all its identified tasks and activities will be achieved before the scheduled date for the referendum.
The BRCTC is co-chaired by both Mr Manu and the PNG Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, with chief secretaries of both the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government as committee members.
Mr Manu said despite the fact that a lot of referendum-related activities are currently progressing at snail phase, there are also a lot of activities that have already been started and achieved, with others set to commence in the coming months.
All these activities, once completed, will contribute to the successful conduct of the referendum.
Mr Manu also stated that the BRCTC is committed to progressing preparations towards the conduct of the referendum, before adding that the Bougainville Referendum Commission will ensure that there is credible process in place for Bougainvilleans to decide their future political status.
The BRCTC is entrusted with the responsibility to spearhead activities pertaining to the referendum.
This transitional committee will continue to perform its roles and responsibilities until such time when the Bougainville Referendum Commission is fully established.
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