An MP in Bougainville's autonomous regional parliament says it's important that there is a strong, emphatic vote by Bougainvilleans in next year's independence referendum.
Autonomous Bougainville Government MP, Rodney Osioico. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Dominic Godfrey
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The Papua New Guinea autonomous region is to hold a referendum in June next year under the terms of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
PNG's national parliament has been tasked with the final say on the referendum outcome.
Rodney Osioco from Kokoda constituency said a strong majority vote would ensure Bougainvilleans' self-determination aspirations are ultimately approved by PNG's national parliament.
"That is why the members are doing more awareness to the people that we must all fully vote one hundred percent to our aspirations so that that outcome can be rectified in the parliament, because parliament is the only legitimate authority who makes laws in the country."