By Fabian Hakalits – EMTV Port Moresby
The Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Chief Secretary will chair the steering committee for the upcoming 2017 National Elections.
The Chief Secretary, under his leadership, will plan the elections in advance which will involve public civil servants serving in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Bougainville’s participation in the 2017 National Elections has assured with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, between the PNG Electoral Commission and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
This signing was facilitated by the PNG Chief Electoral Commissioner, Patilias Gamato, and Bougainville’s Acting Chief Secretary, Paul Kebori.
Mr Gamato said the instrument strengthens relations to the transfer of electoral powers from Waigani.
It also enables the Bougainville public service, statutory bodies and stakeholders to contribute to the election conduct.
Gamato explained that the two key committees in need to be fully established.
The two are the election steering committee and awareness committee.
“I thank the ABG for signing the MOU, before adding that PNGEC will continue to work with ABG in preparing for the 2017 National Elections,” Gamato said.
