Security at counting tightened, says Tokura

SECURITY at the referendum counting centre at Hutjena Secondary School in Buka, North Bougainville, has been tightened since Tuesday, says the Deputy Police Comm and Chief of Bougainville Police Service Francis Tokura.
“I want to assure the people of Bougainville and the nation that we have heavy police presence at the counting centre manning all entry and exit points as well and within and around the vicinity,” he said.
“Security of the counting rests entirely upon the Bougainville police service.
“We have already started pre-deployment on the security of the ballot boxes on Tuesday and will continue through to the actual counting on Monday (Dec 6).
“The general duties at the police stations and sector patrols are already in full operation as well.”
Tokura said the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) was in-charge of running and managing the counting while the police were responsible for the safety and security of the event.
“The police’s main tasks are to ensure all ballot papers from other centres in PNG, including Bougainville, are safely transported to the venue and ensure counting proceeds without any disturbances or disruptions by any opportunists or interested groups,” he said.
“Our operation is not different to what we normally conduct during the national and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) elections and counting.”