Polling is now underway in Central Bougainville Region after two days of delay.
The polling was delayed at the four electorates, Kieta, Arawa, Panguna and Wakunai, due to issues with the electoral roll.
Majority of the 39 000 eligible voters did not have their names on the 2017 electoral roll preventing polling to take place on Monday, June 26.
Following instructions issued by Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato to use 2012 preliminary roll as the supplementary roll, the preliminary roll was printed on Tuesday and polling started today.
Wakunai and Panguna districts are using the preliminary roll while Arawa and Kieta are using both the preliminary roll and the 2017 updated electoral roll.
Assistant Returning Officer for Kieta electorate Steven Rangi explained that the preliminary roll will be used to check names not listed on the 2017 electoral roll.
Rangi urged the voters to allow polling to progress well until the final day.
He told the people that with international observers in the region to observe polling, it is vital to complete the polling process on a high note as this will illustrate how the referendum will go in 2019.
CBR Returning Officer Denise Palipal said polling is going well so far and is expected to be extended by two days in order to make up for the lost two days.