NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

081219 UPDATE FROM THE COUNTING CENTRE
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
Since the official opening of the Count process last night by the Chief Referendum Officer, MAURICIO CLAUDIO the Commissioner DR THOMAS WEBSTER and the Returning Officer, JOHN SISIESI the first process of verification commenced.
The count officials have to go through four processes that is verification, Mixing, Counting and finally the declaration of three figures for Greater Autonomy, Independence and Informal.
And as of 5.00 am this morning, a total of 75 ballot boxes from 15 constituencies have been verified and mixed out of the 249 Ballot boxes that will be counted.
At the Count centre, observers, scrutineers and the media are also observing and taking notes of what is happening.
New Dawn FM did some live coverage from the Counting centre last night and will continue updating its listeners throughout the process.
Ends

111219PRESIDENT THANKS HIS PEOPLE FOR THEIR CLEAR INTENTION
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The ABG President, Chief DR JOHN MOMIS was lost for words after the results were declared by the Chair of the Bougainville Referendum Commission this afternoon.
In his address to the people who were present at the Hutjena Counting Centre, President Momis thanked the people for giving his ABG the clear mandate to consult with the National Government on the wishes of the people.
He said that the people have spoken through the votes and the outcome will not be different.
President MOMIS also thanked the National Government for their commitment to complete the process and the end result must be a total and lasting peace for the people of Bougainville.
He also thanked the Donor partners, International organizations that observed the polling and the count the UN team, High Commissioners of Britain, Australia, New Zealand and many who were part of the peace process on Bougainville.
The President Momis mentioned the people of Bougainville that despite so many problems they have faced in the past kept their faith for the future of Bougainville as clearly demonstrated by their vote.
He said 98 percent for Independence is a huge testimony of what the people of Bougainville want for their future.

Ends

111219PRESIDENT THANKS HIS PEOPLE FOR THEIR CLEAR INTENTION
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The ABG President, Chief DR JOHN MOMIS was lost for words after the results were declared by the Chair of the Bougainville Referendum Commission this afternoon.
In his address to the people who were present at the Hutjena Counting Centre, President Momis thanked the people for giving his ABG the clear mandate to consult with the National Government on the wishes of the people.
He said that the people have spoken through the votes and the outcome will not be different.
President MOMIS also thanked the National Government for their commitment to complete the process and the end result must be a total and lasting peace for the people of Bougainville.
He also thanked the Donor partners, International organizations that observed the polling and the count the UN team, High Commissioners of Britain, Australia, New Zealand and many who were part of the peace process on Bougainville.
The President Momis mentioned the people of Bougainville that despite so many problems they have faced in the past kept their faith for the future of Bougainville as clearly demonstrated by their vote.
He said 98 percent for Independence is a huge testimony of what the people of Bougainville want for their future.

Ends

111219CHAIRMAN WARNS PNG NOT TO GIVE SPACE FOR SPOILERS
New Dawn FM News

The Chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, BERTIE AHERN has warned the Government of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville not to allow any vacuum that could allow for disturbance of the peace process.
Speaking this afternoon, MR AHERN said that the two governments must consult quickly on the result and not delay as it could give space for spoilers to disturb the process.
The Chairman said whilst the process was credible and transparent consultations of the two governments must be given priority.

Ends

111219TEMU SAYS PNG GOVERNMENT IS COMMITED FOR PEACE ON BOUGAINVILLE

NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The Bougainville Affairs Minister, SIR PUKA TEMU this afternoon said that the National Government was committed to see lasting peace on Bougainville after the referendum.
Speaking after the BRC Chairman announced the referendum result, DR. PUKA TEMU said that under the Peace Agreement the result will be subject to consultations before the final result is presented to the National Parliament for ratification.
He said the National Government will continue to support the Government of Bougainville with budget support whilst consultations are been done on the way forward for Bougainville.
DR TEMU thanked the people of Bougainville and especially the Bougainville veterans for making sure total peace was maintained throughout the polling and counting period.
He said that the Prime Minister, JAMES MARAPE will make some announcements in Arawa this Friday.

Ends

111219 BRC STATEMENT AND DECLARATION OF RESULTS
New Dawn FM News

WE THE BOUGAINVILLE REFERENDUM COMMISSION do hereby make the following statement regarding the conduct of the Bougainville Referendum 2019.
Number of votes for Greater Autonomy: 3,043
Number of votes for Independence: 176,928
Number of informal ballot papers: 1,096
Total Votes 181,067
Percentage 97.71% for Bougainville Independence
Percentage 2.3% for Greater Autonomy
We thank the two governments of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and the people of the Bougainville for their outstanding participation in this historic process – one part of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. We recognize the Referendum has been a national event, and so also acknowledge and thank the people of Papua New Guinea.
As an electoral process that aspired to meet international standards, it is for observers, scrutineers and the media, and indeed the people themselves, to determine whether the conduct of the Referendum was inclusive, accessible, free and fair. We thank in particular scrutineers, and observers from here and overseas for bringing transparency and credibility to the process, and we look forward to their reports over the coming days and weeks.
However, as the mandated independent body appointed to conduct the Bougainville Referendum, it is our conclusion from what we witnessed ourselves throughout the process - through enrolment, polling and scrutiny – was an orderly process, following the laws and regulations provided, and was peaceful. We witnessed voting that was informed, free of fear and accessible.
Some of the numbers also tell an important story:
• The Referendum roll had equal numbers of women and men voting
• The Referendum roll had 25 per cent first time voters
• The voter turnout, of at least 85 per cent, was high when compared with international democratic electoral experience, and is the highest of any electoral process in Papua New Guinea
• The informal vote of 1,096 was low when compared with international democratic electoral experience and national elections.
We acknowledge the benefit of some new electoral practices for inclusive voting, including:
• Enrolment of Bougainvilleans in every province of PNG
• Display of the preliminary Referendum roll for public objections and scrutiny
• Postal voting for those travelling, sick or otherwise unable to access a polling place
• Provisional voting, for those not on the Referendum roll at their place of polling
• Out of country voting (in Solomon Islands and Australia)
• Special polling at hospitals, for people for with disabilities.

- 2 -
We are grateful for the resources, financial and human, provided to conduct the Referendum to this inclusive standard. These have been provided by the two governments, the electoral commissions of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, and the international community. The latter has been provided from the United Nations and Australia, Germany, Ireland, Japan New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
We thank the Chief Referendum Officer and staff of the Secretariat for their tireless work. We also thank the Returning Officer, the 34 Assistant Returning Officers, and the thousands of temporary workers who carried out their role in a determined way, to deliver a credible process to the people of Bougainville.
Many other organizations also contributed to the good conduct of the Referendum. The Bougainville Police Service, and their counterparts from the Regional Security Mission with police from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, together with support from the Royal PNG Constabulary, provided for good law and order, and secure transport of polling materials. We also thank PNG High Commissions in Australia and Solomon Islands, and acknowledge local service providers.
Finally, we thank the people of Bougainville living far and wide in Australia, Solomon Islands, outside Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, and of course here in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville – who have come out to have their say.
We wish the two governments all the best in taking forward the Referendum result through a process of consultation, and on to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea for final ratification as part of the ongoing peace process.
On Friday, we look forward to returning the Referendum Writ to the Governor-General in Port Moresby.
This statement was signed by the Commissioners of the BRC this afternoon.
Ends

101219 BRC CHAIR THANKS EVERYONE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE REFERENDUM PROCESS.

New Dawn FM News

The Chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, BERTIE AHERN this afternoon thanked all BRC officials, polling and counting teams for their commitment in making sure their assigned duties are carried in full.
And this has made the preparation and polling very outstanding indeed.
Speaking at the official opening of the Counting in Hutjena this afternoon, the Chair also thanked the people of Bougainville for making this referendum polling a successful one.
He said that the conduct of the referendum up until now has been very transparent and credible.
The Chairman also thanked the International and Local observers including the local and International media for reporting positively of the whole process to the world.
The Chairman will make the announcement of the results before returning the writs to the Governor General this Friday marking the end of the Bougainville Referendum.

Ends

101219CHAIRMAN ARRIVES FOR THE START OF COUNT
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The Chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, BERTIE AHERN arrived this afternoon on the Airt Niugini flight that was delayed in Aropa for some time due to a technical fault.
He was welcomed by the Poposoko cultural Group from Buka island at the Buka airport.
The Chairman was accompanied by the UN PNG resident cordinator, GIANLUCA RAMPOLLA and the UN Political Liasion Officer on Bougainville RUI FLORES and their officials.
They were then taken to the Hutjena Counting centre for the official start of the counting of the Referendum.

Ends

BCR Chairman arrives for Referendum Count

091219 MONDFAY MORNING UPDATE
NEW DAWN FM NEWS

The verification process at the Hutjena Counting centre is progressing smoothly with only four constituencies left and 151 of the 249 ballot boxes still to be processed.
This was last updated at 6a this morning.
With 98 ballot boxes yet to be processed it is anticipated that by this morning all the remaining boxes will be processed so that counting proper can start this afternoon.
Ends

091219 FIVE MORE ARRIVE FROM THE PACIFIC FORUM
NEW DAWN FM NEWS
The Autonomous Bougainville Government yesterday welcomed five more visitors from the Pacific to be part of the International Observers at the Referendum votes count in Buka.
They arrived on the PNGAIR plane yesterday afternoon and were welcomed by the Acting Deputy Chief Secretary, SHADRICK HIMATA at the Buka airport.
These latest visitors were MR. LEON WAMY TAN , Deputy Secretary General, New Caledonia Government, JIMMY NAOUNA, senior advisor, Ministry of Foreign affairs, New Caledonia government, MR ALEXANDRE LAFARGUE, New Caledonia official representative to Papua New Guinea, MR PENISONI NAUPOTO civil society engagement advisor, Pacific Islands Forum, MR TEANUANUA NICOLE, governance officer, Pacific Islands Forum secretariat.
Before the arrival of these people, the Chief Referendum officer, MAURICIO CLAUDIO said that the scrutiny process continues under the watchful gaze of media, scrutineers and observers.
He said at the moment there are 13 local observers, 16 international observers and 32 scrutineers and that the BRC appreciates their work in joining the BRC in making sure this process is safe and credible.
Ends