In preparation for the commencement of polling in the upcoming Referendum, the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) has opened postal voting applications. The Postal voting option is only available to eligible voters who cannot access a polling site during the official polling period.
According to Acting Chief Referendum Officer, Desmond Tsianai, the BRC wants to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate in the referendum. As such, it is making sure people can exercise their rights if they are travelling away from home, or if their health or mobility would otherwise make it difficult for them to get to a polling place during the official voting period.
Any enrolled voter can apply for a postal vote if they are:
• located more than 16km away from the nearest polling booth during the polling period,
• are seriously ill, infirm, disabled, or
• hold religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling booth to vote
Applications for postal voting can be received up to and including November 22nd.
