The Bougainville Charter has been signed by the Papua New Guinea governor general Sir Bob Dadae to fast-track preparations for the Bougainville referendum in June 2019.
Photo: Supplied
The ceremony was witnessed by the PNG electoral commissioner Patilias Gamato, the Bougainville electoroal commissioner George Manu and the new Bougainville Affairs minister Fr Simon Dumarinu.
The PNG Electoral Commisssion said the Charter was required under the Organic Law on Peace Building on Bougainville which emanated from the Bougainville Peace Agreement signed in Arawa 16 years ago.
The Charter will allow the two electoral commissioners, Mr Gamato and Mr Manu, to work closely together on what will be called the Bougainville Referendum Commission.
The seven member commission will also include appointments from both governments, including one woman.
