Emphatic vote needed to seal Bougainville referendum outcome, says MP

An MP in Bougainville's autonomous regional parliament says it's important that there is a strong, emphatic vote by Bougainvilleans in next year's independence referendum.

The autonomous PNG region of Bougainville is to hold a referendum on independence in June next year under the terms of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Rodney Osioico, from Kokoda constituency, says a strong majority vote would ensure Bougainvilleans self-determination aspirations are ultimately approved by Papua New Guinea's national parliament.

Mr Osioico told Johnny Blades that with help from the UN and other partners, a major awareness raising programme is underway.