Papua New Guinea's Minister of Inter Government Relations, Sir Peter Barter, has congratulated the people of Bougainville on the success of the election process so far.
Voting in the PNG province's historic poll for an autonomous government finished at the weekend and counting is to start tomorrow.
Sir Peter says the challenges facing Bougainville as it prepared for the election were great and he says it's heartening to see what has been achieved.
He says the Statement on Voting from the international monitors is positive, realistic and encouraging.
Sir Peter says he hopes the electoral process will continue to be free, fair, peaceful and well-run.
