Participation will show seriousness

GREATER voter participation in the 2020 Autonomous Bougainville government general elections will demonstrate its seriousness to initiate progress following the 98 per cent affirmative vote for independence during last year’s referendum.
Former ABG president and secretary for the Department of Peace Agreement Implementation (DPAI) James Tanis said this as the region prepares for the polls.
Tanis, who is also contesting the ABG presidency and was instrumental in designing the referendum framework as DPAI secretary, said the outcome of the referendum did not mean Bougainville was well on its way to being a fully-fledged independent nation as yet.
He explained that the 98 per cent affirmation by Bougainvilleans for independence was a part of the process of self-determination that expressed the wishes of the people as stipulated by the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
“This is where the real work begins, this is where we should demonstrate to Papua New Guinea and the international community our seriousness to institute change and progress on Bougainville to be independent,” he said.
“Let us not lose sight of our ultimate goal which is to complete Bougainville’s political journey.
“We need to mobilise and start work on the ground preparations.”