Bougainvilleans waited in long queues to cast their votes in the region's election. Photo: Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner - OBEC
Bougainvilleans waited in long queues to cast their votes in the region's peaceful election on Friday, 5 September
The Electoral Commissioner Desmond Tsianai said voting on Friday, which ran from 9am to 5pm NZ time, had gone smoothly.
"Through patience, respect, and active participation, voters have ensured that this election is conducted in a peaceful, transparent, and credible manner," he said.
There were some late starts in certain areas due to logistical challenges, but by 10am Bougainville time, polling venues in all 38 of Bougainville's constituencies had opened.
Bougainville's Electoral Commissioner said voting on Friday had gone smoothly. Photo: Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner - OBEC
Voters still in the queue at closing time were permitted to cast their ballots in accordance with the law.
"The long queues we saw in some places were a challenge, but they are also a reflection of something we should celebrate -- Bougainvilleans' commitment to democracy and their determination to make their voices heard," Commissioner Tsianai said.
To ensure every eligible voter has the chance to participate, the Office of the Electoral Commissioner (OBEC) has allowed polling for some polling teams to be extended to 6 September, to allow anyone who was in the queue at 4pm local time on 5 September but who was unable to cast their vote, to return to their polling place and cast their vote today.
Bougainville's Electoral Commissioner Desmond Tsianai Photo: Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner - OBEC
Tsianai said 90 per cent of the polling venues started on time and were kept busy all day.
Early reports indicate that voter turnout was good, with large numbers of Bougainvilleans coming out to cast their votes.
There are over 239,000 registered voters in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region, where independence remains the key issue.
The Office of the Electoral Commissioner said counting will begin on 9 September and will proceed until results are declared, with writs scheduled to be returned by 22 September.
