Papua New Guinea's Minister of Bougainville Affairs says the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) needs to make a formal request if it wants to delay the referendum.
Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
The vote on independence from Papua New Guinea is due to start on 12 October but it's been revealed the commission would like it pushed back six weeks to allow more time for voter enrolment.
The chair of the commission, former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern, has been reported saying the time frame to complete the roll is tight.
The BRC is also facing other challenges after a delay in funding stalled its work.
The minister, Sir Puka Temu, said the commission, or BRC, would need to request a delay from the body supervising the referendum.
"If the BRC thinks they need a little more time because of the credibility issue on the referendum roll then the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) will be the body that will make the final decision. It is not the national government or the ABG, it is a JSB decision.
"If they say no then that's it. If they agree then we will inform our people and the basis will be the credibility of the common roll."
Sir Puka said the JSB would meet soon in Buin and that he was aiming to convince the prime minister to hold the National Executive Council meeting there as well.
This would be a chance for the national government to show its commitment to the referendum process, he said.