Transparent referendum

I THANK Robert Ona, from Panguna, for his views expressed in his letter published in The National on Nov 13 regarding my comments on the need for campaigns on the two possible outcomes.
I strongly agree with Ona of the need to have a transparent Bougainville referendum which will produce credible results.
This requires that the people of Bougainville have at their disposal all information to make an informed choice at the referendum.
The PNG NRI through the project that I am leading is contributing to the provision of such objective/unbiased information, and we encourage discussion and debate on these issues.
Let me reiterate that the two options for a political future for Bougainville approved for inclusion in the referendum ballot paper are “greater autonomy” and “independence”.
I sense from Ona’s letter that he does not want campaigns for a particular outcome as it may confuse people.
But the risk of such confusion does not negate the need for full information on each of the options offered at the referendum.
Furthermore, PNG is a signatory to international protocols on the conduct of referendums which the international community will use to judge as to whether the results of the referendum reflect the free will of the people of Bougainville.
PNG NRI has produced a study on the “Administration of referendums”, drawing on the lessons from abroad that Ona could benefit from.
The minimal benchmark for the conduct of a referendum that will have credibility in the eyes of the international community includes that it be administered in compliance with existing legislation (i.e. the BPA, organic laws, the national Constitution, and the Bougainville Constitution), the voters must be provided with objective and unbiased information; and the voters are afforded the freedom to form and express their choice without coercion.
The above-mentioned study goes into considerable detail regarding each of the above-mentioned, and I strongly recommend the report to the reader.
It is important that the people of Bougainville are clear about the possible outcome, and the implications for their well-being both now and into the future.
They need to know and accept the outcomes and the expected benefits as well as the possible consequences.
It is also important for the people to know how the referendum results will be implemented before they vote so that they are also clear about how long it will take to
implement the referendum
results.
In a post conflict situation like that of Bougainville, the risk of confusions and the ramification of a botched referendum are serious.
All my efforts and those of the PNG NRI are devoted towards minimising such risk.
There is no guarantee that we will be able to pre-empt all risks, but preparations for a credible referendum remains a priority for all stakeholders.
As I see it, there are two main types of awareness campaigns that need to be carried out.
And this view is based on the research reports undertaken by PNG NRI as well as the Organic Law on Peacebuilding in Bougainville – Autonomous Bougainville Government and Bougainville Referendum 2002.
The first type of awareness is the general “non-biased awareness” to inform voters about the general administration of the referendum, the preparations and on how to register and vote.
This type of awareness can be carried out by the Bougainville Referendum Commission which is mandated by the organic law.
The law requires the Referendum Commission to invite and recognise any interest groups having a common interest.
This is the second type of awareness where such interest groups may generate informed debate and discussions on a particular outcome in order to inform and influence voters.
The Referendum Commission will need to develop rules and guidelines on the conduct of awareness campaigns by these interest groups such as on what they can and cannot do, how much money they can spend, how much media time and space that they can use, etc.
I have at no time argued that non-compliance with campaigns for the two options “could result in the PNG government challenging the results of the referendum” as suggested by Mr Ona.
I am tasked by the institute under its mandate to research and inform on the possible issues and implications of the Bougainville referendum.
Our commentaries are informed by research information provided by international experts on similar referendums conducted elsewhere combined with our own independent assessment of what we think is the right thing to do in Bougainville.
Let me reassure your readers that my efforts, as that of the PNGNRI, is to contribute to the conduct of a credible referendum that brings about lasting peace for the people of Bougainville within the spirit of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Thomas Webster
PNG NRI