The lack of funding and resources could potentially defer Bougainville’s referendum deadline.
The National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) have initially agreed to set a target date for June 15th, 2019.
However, the processes that will lead up to it are yet to be established by both the National Government and the ABG.
Chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, Bertie Ahern, said there has to be a certainty of funding to fund the referendum and the Constitutional Regulations must be in place before progress is made.
Ahern said as Chairman, he is conscious of the position of both governments but urges them to work together to achieve the preliminary stages on the lead up to the referendum.
“What is needed is a pragmatic and intellectual approach that will meet the expectations of the people as well as acting within the legal aspects of the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Joint Supervisory Body Resolutions,” Ahern said.
“The two governments must work together for a better future for Bougainville and work out the issues that pertain to the overall process.”
Though there are still issues, he is optimistic that they would be resolved in the Joint Supervisory Body meeting that will be held on Friday.
Ahern said he was committed to working with both governments and fulfilling the task of administering the referendum.
“We have to provide a referendum that satisfies the aspirations of the people of Bougainville,” he said.
So far the National Government has yet to provide funding for the BRC for it to be properly established.
Work on updating the common roll has lagged and the Constitutional Regulations have yet to be gazetted and voting criteria is not ready for publication.
Much of the funding provided to the BRC is from the UN Bougainville Referendum Support Project that was funded by Australia and various development partners.
Ahern is currently in PNG and will be holding high level talks with government officials from the ABG and GoPNG as well as Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and ABG President Dr John Momis.
(ABG President Dr John Momis with BRC Chairman, Bertie Ahern)