ABG preparing for polls

Bougainville Electoral Commissioner George Manu says preparations are under way for the upcoming Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) elections.
“While we are yet to receive any funds for enrolment or polling, we are preparing ourselves and voters as best we can,” he said.
Manu advised voters that the ABG election would be different to the referendum conducted recently.
“The referendum had its own voter eligibility and voters were asked to mark ‘X’ in one box,” Manu said.
“ABG elections are held according to the Bougainville constitution.
“This requires the referendum roll to be updated and people to be given awareness about limited preference voting – or LPV 1,2,3.
“The lesson of the referendum was that a good roll, good awareness and good engagement with community governments was central to a good outcome.
“We want to use those lessons to hold a quality election that Bougainvilleans deserve.”
Manu said that while the referendum roll was a good one, it needed updating in three ways:
l Enrol young Bougainvilleans who have turned 18 since Nov 23 – the cut-off date used for the referendum;
l Remove the names of non-Bougainvilleans not eligible under ABG electoral laws; and,
l Where needed, give people the chance to update their enrolment location.
“We urgently need funds to update the roll before the Speaker issues the writ to me, according to the constitution.”
Manu said despite the lack of funds, his office had started consultations and awareness with community governments.
“We have completed a plan, I have selected AROs for appointment and my staff are now in the field talking with community governments about the two stages of enrolment: update and public display,” Manu said.
“What we are waiting for is a commitment and the transfer of the K13.5 million for the budget submitted to the ABG last year, and a confirmation of the dates for the writ.”
Manu reminded voters that unlike the referendum, the ABG elections used an LPV system where every voter must mark their ballot papers with a 1, 2 and 3 according to who they wanted to represent them in Parliament.