Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Voting in Bougainville's election has been rescheduled until Friday, to allow enough time to dispatch ballot papers.
The autonomous Papua New Guinea region's electoral commissioner said on Wednesday the move would allow papers to reach all parts of Bougainville, in time for one-day polling.
"The decision was not taken lightly, but it was necessary to better serve Bougainvilleans and to ensure the proper conduct of the election," Desmond Tsianai said.
"Every eligible voter should have the opportunity to cast their ballots," the commissioner said.
"Rescheduling polling at this stage is the most responsible decision to ensure all ballot papers are delivered securely, so that all Bougainvilleans can vote on the same day."
The revised polling date affects all voters, except those in the Atolls constituency, who will cast their vote Thursday.
Tsianai said the papers were printed in Port Moresby, but were not completed and delivered to Buka on time.
In addition, he said, there were some quality control issues with respect to serial numbers.
"These are an important safeguard against fraud. We therefore took measure to ensure that these issues were rectified, so that electoral integrity is assured."
The final shipment of ballot papers, which was scheduled for delivery on 23 August, finally arrived on 2 September, he said.
This did not allow enough time for packing and distribution, to allow polling to take place on Thursday.
The polling period for the elections was from 2 to 8 september, and the office had the discretion to select any date within that period based on election planning, he said.
"Rescheduling allows sufficient time to resolve ballot delivery delays and to ensure that polling teams are ready to serve voters."
He said that the rescheduling was done in the interest of voters, candidates and stakeholders, to prevent any risk of disenfranchisement.
"We remain fully committed to delivering a credible election and will continue to provide regular updates to maintain transparency and confidence in the electoral process," he said.
Bougainville election issues
The dominant issue going into the election remains the quest for independence.
In 2020 there were strong expectations that the autonomous region would soon achieve that, given the result of an historic referendum.
A 97.7 percent majority voted for independence in a referendum which began in November 2019.
However, that hasn't happened yet and Port Moresby has yet to concede much ground.
On Friday, Bougainville's 544 polling stations will open from 8am to 4pm, local time, in what is the first time the ABG has planned a single day poll.
Some 404 candidates are contesting for 46 seats in the Bougainville parliament, including a record 34 women.
Six men are challenging President Ishmael Toroama for his job.
Toroama recently told RNZ Pacific that he was not feeling any pressure as he seeks a second five-year term in office.
"I'm the kind of man that has process. They voted me for the last five years. And if the people wish to put me, the decision, the power to put people, it is democracy. They will vote for me." he said.
Addressing the Papua New Guinea National parliament on Wednesday, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres commended the leaders of Bougainville and PNG in staying the course of peace and setting an example for the world.
"Last Saturday marked the 21st anniversary of the Bougainville peace agreement. This conflict left deep scars, but for more than two decades, Papua New Guinea and Bougainville have stayed the course of peace," Gutteres said.
"You have shown the world the path of healing through dialogue, perseverance and mutual respect."
"Your continued dialogue offers a model to other countries, and I am confident that the next phase will deliver a lasting resolution to the mutual benefit of all," he added.
