Polling in Panguna’s ‘no-go zone’ ready
By AUGUSTINE KINNA
FOR the first time in 20 years, the “no-go zone” people in the mountainous area of Panguna, Central Bougainville will have the opportunity to vote in a geberal election.
Otto Noruka, the electoral returning officer for Central District, said polling in the “no-go zone” area would still take place and that preparatory work was well underway.
“About 10 polling boots would be located in 10 different sites to cater for an estimated 5,000 to 6000 eligible voters in the area,” Mr Noruka said.
He revealed that there would not be any problem with them going in and out the area to conduct the election as the men at the road block understood the importance of the people’s right to vote.
“I am happy that the people in the ‘no-go zone’ for the first time would have the opportunity to take part in the election, but I am concerned that there might be a big chance of having many informal votes,” he said.
He said the people in the area had not received any proper orientation on the new limited preferential voting (LPV) system and there was fear that many would waste their votes.
Mr Noruka said ballot boxes and election materials for the “no-go zone” were still in Buka for pick-up and that they expect to have them before Monday when polling officially begins in the region.
“The only thing that is holding us up was the transport of all election materials to Arawa before Monday.
“Once we have are our materials in Arawa, then it will be easy for us to set up polling boost in area,” Mr Noruka said.
He said he was looking forward to the elections and hoped to complete the “no-go zone” area within one or two days.