29 Nov 2019

Shooting incidents 'unrelated' to Bougainville vote

12:23 pm on 29 November 2019

Two shooting incidents in Bougainville are unrelated to the ongoing referendum, says the Bougainville Referendum Commission.

Voters file through a polling booth in Buka town to cast their vote for the Bougainville independence referendum.

Voters file through a polling booth in Buka town to cast their vote for the Bougainville independence referendum. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Johnny Blades

A fortnight-long polling period for the autonomous Papua New Guinea region's non-binding independence referendum began last Saturday.

Two shooting incidents linked to the pro-independence Me'ekamui group reportedly occurred in Siwai on Tuesday and last Friday.

Chief Referendum Officer Mauricio Claudio said the incidents were not related to the vote.

He said polling continued yesterday in the southern constituency.

The chair of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, Mauricio Claudio.

The chair of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, Mauricio Claudio. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

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