B’ville counting begins

COUNTING for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville’s fourth election has begun yesterday, Bougainville Electoral Commissioner George Manu says.
Manu commended the people and electoral staff for a peaceful and engaging process.
He said the final stage of the scrutiny process and the counting of verified ballot papers has begun.
He said counting for South and Central Bougainville commenced yesterday with North Bougainville to start today and presidential ballots to follow after.
“We are at eve of the final step of the electoral process – the counting of ballot papers,” Manu said in a statement.
“The Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner is ready, our staff are trained and are ready to do their job with accuracy and transparency.
“We know that candidates, supporters and scrutineers are excited, and there is an atmosphere of peaceful anticipation.
“However, we also would like to request your cooperation during the actual counting process so it can be seen as transparent.”
The counting centre will operate 24 hours with staff working in four shifts of six hours at respective count centres.
Manu said the sorting process had been orderly, accurate and transparent with candidate scrutineers, international and local observers coming through the count centres to check every step of the process.
The same is expected from all during the actual counting.