Church: 15–year-olds to vote in AROB referendum

IT has been agreed by Catholic priests and other denominational heads and members that the required age for referendum vote will be 15 years of age.

And Bougainvilleans leaving outside will also be able to vote, including part Bougainvilleans/PNG and abroad. This has been the resolution reached by clergymen and layworkers in a consultation workshop last week in Buka.

Fr Boniface Kevon representing his group who discussed the issue presented the items and resolutions discussed and he elaborated further on its importance.

“It is a right for everyone to vote for referendum and that means whoever is literate or illiterate and is doing grade ten or twelve in our schools,” said Fr Boniface, who comes from the Carterets islands.

“Our main aim which I think is the Government’s aim too is to make as many people vote when the time for referendum comes about,” he said.

“If we follow the normal electoral process where only those 18 and above are allowed to vote we will still miss out on a lot of potential voters of whom we will abuse their rights,” Fr Boniface said.

“So we have now moved 18 years down to 17 years and now down to 15 years of age. Many are doing grade ten and twelve so they will understand what referendum is and they will also know the process of voting when the time comes,” he said.

“Bougainvilleans living outside will also be able to vote including half Bougainvilleans/PNG and abroad, even adopted kids will be able to vote, because according to the laws of the church he or she is already part of the family,” Boniface said.

Picture: Grade 12 graduation. Voting age will be 15 years and above for the referendum.

Author: 
Peterson Tseraha