The Papua New Guinea and Bougainville governments have issued a joint guide on key elements of the independence referendum.
Bougainvilleans are to vote on independence from PNG in October this year.
Bougainville president John Momis, left, and former PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill sign the agreement on the question for the independence referendum. Photo: Joseph Nobetau
In the guide the chief secretaries of both governments, Isaac Lupari, and Joseph Nobetau, have endeavoured to answer many of the questions people have.
People in the autonomous PNG region will be asked to choose between 'greater autonomy' and 'independence'.
The guide doesn't yet have a full description of the terms as it says they're still being developed but they'll be given to voters in time to ensure an informed choice can be made.
But it does say 'greater autonomy' will be distinctively greater than the present autonomy arrangement.
The joint document says those eligible to vote will include non-Bougainvilleans who are currently residing in Bougainville and have been there for at least six months, along with Bougainvilleans and their families living outside the province.
Over 20,000 people died in the Bougainville civil war and many disappeared without being accounted for. Photo: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
It also points out that while the result of the referendum is non-binding, it will be considered by both governments with the national parliament to make the final decision.
The Joint Key Messages can downloaded through the following link: http://www.abg.gov.pg/media/referendummaterials