The Autonomous Bougainville Government wants former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark to chair the Bougainville Referendum Commission.
At last week's meeting of the Joint Supervisory Board between Bougainville and the Papua New Guinea government it was decided to have an internationally recognised person to head the Commission.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The Commission is to prepare the region for the vote on independence set for June 2019.
The Post Courier reports that both parties will look at the matter again in the next JSB meeting in April next year.
Both PNG Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, and ABG President John Momis, noted that Miss Clark's interest and availability needed to be confirmed.