Bougainville elections Photo: Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner
The process of sorting ballot papers has begun as Bougainville nears the end of its two-week election process.
The official voting period ends today, but many of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region's 33 constituencies have already finished voting.
The acting electoral commissioner, George Manu, says ballot papers will begin to be sorted by region and constituency from today ready for counting next week.
Mr Manu says the process will be observed by international and domestic observers, as well as scrutinisers representing each candidate, and the ballot boxes will be transported under police escort.
Mr Manu says the election, the first run by Bougainvilleans themselves, has gone smoothly, and he is happy with progress despite some complaints of interference and double voting.
