The United Nations has sent 3 officials to work with the Bougainville Electoral Commission to prepare for the elections starting on May 11th.
Photo: RNZ
Among its duties the UN team will co-ordinate the deployment of international observers, train scrutineers, develop training materials and give hands-on training for female candidates.
The UN team, led by electoral advisor Ray Kennedy, is expected to remain in Bougainville for the duration of the elections.
It is part of the UN's wider support for the 2015 Bougainville General Elections initiative, and comes after requests for help from both the PNG national government and the autonomous Bougainville government.