POLICY FORUM
19 February 2021
The Bougainville referendum was an important turning point in Pacific democratic politics, however policymakers should take stock of the ways the process failed certain voters, Steven Kolova writes.
One of the most important events in the Pacific Island region in 2019 was the Bougainville independence referendum, held between 23 November and 7 December. Whilst the referendum has generally been accepted to have been a successful and legitimate process, there are also notable cases of administrative irregularities and problems that affected voter participation.
Through interviews with Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) officials, scrutineers, polling officials, police officers and observers, as well as analyses of mass media, radio broadcasts, Facebook, and other online sources, this author have sought to explore the referendum vote’s strengths and weaknesses.
On the occasion of the signing of the Joint Communique by Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Honourable James Marape, MP and President of Autonomous Bougainville Government Honourable Ishmael Toroama, MHR.
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In furthering the Bougainville Peace process in the Post Referendum period and having met today, we officially reaffirm and assure the people of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville that the Governments of PNG and Bougainville are committed to the process of the joint consultations on the outcome of the referendum.
The signing of the Joint Communique today signals our intention to immediately commence the joint consultations as is required by the National Constitution under Section 342 (1) and the Bougainville Peace Agreement under Clause 311 (b) for the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to consult over the outcome or result of the Bougainville referendum.
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The governments of PNG and Bougainville have reaffirmed their commitment to the outcome of the Bougainville referendum.
In furthering the Bougainville peace process in the Post Referendum period, Prime Minister James Marape and President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ishmael Toroama, signed a joint communique on Monday, January 11
th, at the Sir Manasupe Haus in Port Moresby.
The governments said the signing of the joint communique signals their intention to immediately commence the joint consultations as is required by the National Constitution under Section 342 (1) and the Bougainville Peace Agreement under Clause 311 (b).
“This joint communique affirms that as required by the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the referendum outcome will be subject to ratification (final decision making) of the National Parliament while Section 342 (2) of the National Constitution has made the decision of the National Parliament relating to the referendum r