The Bougainville Referendum Commission is aiming to enrol hundreds of Bougainvilleans living in remote mining and agricultural communities in Papua New Guinea.
A tentative date of June 15th 2019 has been set for a referendum on possible independence in the Autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
It will undertake this work through until the end of next week.
The chief referendum officer, Mauricio Claudio, said groups of up to 1,000 Bougainvilleans are living and working in remote areas and have not been able to reach their provincial PNG Electoral Offices to enrol.
He says the Commission has identified Lihir Island, Ramu in Madang, Ok Tedi Town and Porgera, as the four largest communities it had the resources to reach.
Mr Claudio said "Bougainvilleans living in these areas, despite their remoteness, are strongly engaged in the referendum".
The Commission is currently working with Bougainville associations, community leaders and employers in each of the four remote locations to provide for a few days for enrolment.
It has encouraged people to check the Commission's facebook page and media for information.
The Commission says a preliminary referendum roll will soon go on public display in all wards in Bougainville, giving people a chance to check the details.
It said: "People will have one last chance to check their name, correct misspellings and add their name if it's still not on the roll. It is our strong desire to use this people for Bougainvilleans to tell if the roll is good and make any final corrections and additions to ensure all and only eligible voters can vote on polling day".