Commission wants more eligible voters

 THE Autonomous Bougainville Government Electoral Commission is working on conducting a free, fair and transparent general election.

Acting ABG Electoral Commissioner George Manu was responding to concerns on the low number of registered voters.

People have been urging the commission to conduct a thorough enrolment exercise after learning that the number of eligible voters in their areas is less than the 2010 general election and the 2012 national election.   Manu said it was not the final list  and more enrolment  would be carried out.  

“More enrolment exercises will still be carried out to get more eligible voters registered,” Manu said. “This election is very important to all Bougainvilleans as we will be putting in place the government that will take us to the referendum to decide our political future.

“So it is the responsibility of the Electoral Commission to conduct a free, fair and transparent election.”

He said the enrolment forms would be distributed to the councils of elders and district offices. “It is important that all people, 18 years and above must be enrolled so you will be able to cast your votes,” he said.

According to the enrolment update schedule, all enrolment data collected will be sent to Buka for compilation into a preliminary roll update.