Musingku did not vote: Tokura

A LEADER of a faction on Bougainville Noah Musingku did not vote during the referendum despite expressing interest to participate in determining the future of Bougainville, Bougainville Police Service commander Francis Tokura says.
“The self-proclaimed King Pei II of the sovereign nation of Papala Me’ekamui and his family didn’t vote on Friday at the polling booth where he was expected to vote. Only his prime minister Peter Taimah, Tonu central bank governor Peter Dising, local level government minister Philip Mapah and defence minister Gunter Uming voted at Siwai,” Tokura said.
He said there were reports that Musingku would vote after registering in the Bougainville Referendum common roll.
“I made myself available to witness him (Musingku) casting his vote. Unfortunately he didn’t. We also received reports that voters from upper Konnou in South Bougainville have fled from the infighting between the Me’ekamui factions and migrated down to Buin to cast their votes,” he said. “Some are now seeking refuge at Tabago with relatives.
“The situation there is still tense after members of Me’ekamui one killed a member of Me’ekamui two on Nov 23 at about 5.30am.
“He was shot and killed in his house and his body was burnt inside his house that was set on fire.”
Tokura said many eligible voters tried to vote in constituencies they were not registered in, which caused confusion and delays.
“They were supposed to vote in the constituency that they had enrolled in. Apart from that, so far Security operations have been successful despite the issues that are happening in upper Konnou which is not related to the referendum.”
Tokura called on the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the chiefs to solve the long running dispute in upper Konnou.