Referendum commission lacks funds

By ERIC PIET
WITH four months to go before the referendum, the Bougainville Referendum Commission has no funds to carry out its operations, an official says.
Referendum research project team leader Dr Thomas Webster said the commission was operating on a shoestring budget and called on the Government to release the funds allocated for the exercise.
The referendum takes place on June 15.
Webster said there was a “perceived indifferent attitude” shown by the Government on the issue as no funds was allocated in the 2019 budget for the referendum exercise.
“There is a critical need for funding on the referendum which is a part of the Bougainville Peace Agreement but the BRC has no money to do its work,” Webster said.
“Time is clearly not on our side. BRC needs the money for its operations — logistics, travel and ballot paper printing. And of course the updating of the common roll for Bougainvilleans, not only those living on the island but also those living outside.
“Bougainvilleans living in other parts of PNG have to be vetted before the actual issue of the writs.
“This means they will have to put in their voter registration and say which electorate in Bougainville they come from. The chiefs and elders will confirm their origin. This is to ensure the integrity of the referendum is not questioned.”
He questioned the whereabouts of the K1 billion allocated last year by the Government for the referendum exercise.
“I understand about a billion kina was said to be released last to the BRC account. But the BRC has not seen this money. Where has it actually gone too?” Webster said.
He said most Bougainvilleans were looking forward to the June 15 event and understood the process.