Bougainville's acting electoral commissioner has been defending the team of foreign observers after complaints of interference from some voters.
Elections in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region are being held over two weeks until the end of next week.
Bougainville elections Photo: Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner
There are 50 foreign observers in Bougainville for the poll, and electoral commissioner, George Manu, says they were invited to help ensure the integrity of the election.
He says it is important the poll is seen to comply with the law and international standards.
There have been reports of complaints by people regarding the observers' presence at polling stations and claims they were interfering with the election process.
Mr Manu says the observers have the right to obtain information about the election at any stage and freedom of movement throughout Bougainville.
But he says the observers cannot interfere with or impede the normal course of the electoral process and they must not prevent electoral officials from exercising their duties and obligations.