Sir Puka reveals marriage makes him eligible to vote in referendum

MINISTER for Bougainville Affairs Sir Puka Temu will vote in the Bougainville referendum because his wife is from there.
“I am married to a Bougainville woman so under the Bougainville constitution, I’m entitled to vote during the referendum on Oct 12 as long as I’m registered on the Bougainville common roll,” Sir Puka, who is also Abau MP, said.
“So I will have to register soon.”
Sir Puka said during a seminar on Bougainville organised by the National Research Institute in Port Moiresby last week the credibility of the common roll remained a big challenge.
“The Bougainville Referendum Commission, which is an independent body, is the one administering the election process,” he said.
“Under this process we want to achieve a result that is credible, recognised globally and domestically.
“Our task is to make sure that every Bougainvillean registers to be eligible to vote.”
Sir Puka said they needed to guarantee security during the
vote. He plans to get some former security force commanders to go to Bougainville and meet with ex-combatants.
“That is the Melanesians way of yumi rausim haus krai (mourning house removal), kaikai buai (chew betel nut), kilim pig (kill pigs) na (and) toktok (discussion).”