Bougainville independence vote options explained

More information is now available about the two options on the ballot for this month's Bougainville independence referendum.

The Papua New Guinea and Autonomous Bougainville governments have provided detailed information on the choices voters are faced with: greater autonomy and independence.

The referendum's two-week polling period starts on 23 November. Preparations have generally been progressing well, including an extensive enrolment process deemed more successful than that for PNG's national elections.

However Chief Referendum Officer Mauricio Claudio told both governments in September that more information was needed about the two options on the ballot paper.

The governments have now responded, with the information released yesterday by the Bougainville Referendum Commission.

Greater Autonomy

The 'greater autonomy', option is described as a negotiated political settlement providing for a form of autonomy with greater powers than those currently available under constitutional arrangements.

Under 'greater autonomy', PNG's national government would continue to support the implementation of Bougainville's existing autonomy arrangements.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government was established in 2005, when all provincial government powers and functions were automatically assumed.

Since then, the ABG has gradually assumed some additional powers, such as control of mining in the region. The autonomous region has its own constitution, political system and public service.

But under a greater autonomy, new powers would be available to Bougainville, including over industrial relations, foreign aid and investment, international trade, civil aviation, as well as control over "migratory and straddling" fish stocks.

Bougainville would also be granted additional taxation and revenue-raising powers.

Independence

Under the 'independence' option Bougainville would become its own sovereign state separate to PNG, recognised under international law and by other international states as an independent state

This would entail a defined physical territory, with maritime boundaries and associated Exclusive Economic Zone.

A form of government would be "chosen by decisions of the people from time to time", while the state would have its own various institutions including judiciary and police service.

As well as the right to apply for UN membership, an independent Bougainville would have the full range of powers and functions exercised by independent states.

This also covers the powers necessary to generate its own revenues inclusive of control of natural resources, control of all categories of taxation and ability to raise loans.

Vote credibility

The Bougainville Referendum Commission's Chairman, Bertie Ahern, has welcomed the release of the two pages of information, which he said supported the conduct of a free and fair vote.

"A credible vote needs to be an informed vote, so we are delighted that the two governments have responded to our concerns and provided more information about what the two options really mean," Mr Ahern said.

He said the Commission would translate the information into Tok Pisin and release it in multiple formats for awareness activities over the coming weeks ahead of polling.

According to Mr Ahern, the commission believes voters are "well informed and comfortable with the technical referendum voting process".

"So the next weeks are really about quality - training polling and counting officials to do their job well, briefing scrutineers and observers so that they can do theirs, and giving voters the information they need to vote in an informed way - no matter which option they decide to choose," he explained.

"People can be proud that the third pillar of the peace process (under the Bougainville Peace Agreement), signed almost 20 years ago, is about to take place."

To come into effect, the vote outcome has to be ratified by PNG's parliament, and is expected to be subject to a negotiation process which could take months or years.