Referendum needs awareness

A LACK of coordination and correct information on the referendum has resulted in differing awareness campaigns carried out in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, an official says.
The referendum on greater autonomy or independence is scheduled for Nov 23.
Parliament Bipartisan Committee on Bougainville Matters chairman Joe Lera said reports had revealed that the 44 Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) leaders had carried out different awareness about the referendum in their constituencies, causing misunderstanding and confusion.
“There has been no uniform awareness been carried out on the referendum and the 44 ABG MPs have carried out their own awareness in their respective constituencies,” he said.
“Right now, there are 44 different views on the referendum and it is dangerous because we are dividing and confusing the people and their understanding of the real issues in relation to independence and greater autonomy.”
Lera said it was only after the Bougainville Referendum Commission had been established that they started work on one awareness campaign to be delivered to the people.
He said it would be difficult to correct the misconceptions and misunderstandings in the time left but they would do their best.
Lera said another factor affecting their ability to get the proper information to the people was the lack of radio coverage.
“The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) coverage only reaches about 20 per cent of Bougainvilleans, which is part of the reason for the lack of awareness on the referendum,” he said.
“We found that people in South Bougainville are pushing for independence without justifying why they want it. That is because there is no media coverage there.
“But in areas that have access to media coverage like Arawa, Central and North Bougainville they are better informed and able to justify their choices.”