The United Nations Development Programme in Papua New Guinea has pledged support to the Autonomous Bougainville Government in carrying out the upcoming elections.
The new initiative is a follow-up to the request of the governments of PNG and Bougainville for UN-backed electoral support to the elections scheduled to take place by June.
The project will provide five month support by coordination of the observer effort, support to establish electoral dispute resolutions, training for candidates, party agents and media and support of a post-election review.
The Chief Secretary of the ABG Monovi Amani says the government welcomes the support for the conduct of transparent and credible elections.
The upcoming elections are seen as crucial as they will mark the start of the referendum period agreed upon in the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Photo: RNZ