Central Bougainville polling delayed again

Polling in the Central Bougainville Region (CBR) has been delayed once again due to issues relating to the electoral roll.

The region consists of four districts, Arawa, Panguna, Wakunai and Kieta, and the delay has affected over 40 000 eligible voters.

CBR Returning Officer Denise Palipal confirmed reports received from the voters that many of the names are not on the electoral roll.

Palipal and CBR police commander Spencer Aila urged all 49 polling teams not to carry out polling until the preliminary roll is printed and distributed to them.

Palipal confirmed that they will be using the preliminary roll from the 2012 elections.

This follows instructions issued by Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato to use the 2012 preliminary roll as a supplementary roll.

However the people have disagreed with the idea and want to use the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Government 2015 electoral roll.

Palipal stressed that polling must commence as soon as possible as the five days scheduled period will now be extended to next week.

Meantime polling in the South Bougainville Region will also commence tomorrow while the North Bougainville areas is underway as scheduled.  

Author: 
Quintina Naime