Bougainville Referendum News: Developing a 'Whole-of-ABG' Rolling Plan for Referendum Preparations

THE independence of the Agency with responsibility to conduct the Referendum is protected, section 59 of the Organic Law providing that the Agency is not subject to direction by any person including the National Government or the Bougainville Government. Independence will be a vitally important attribute for the Agency. That consideration is undoubtedly why there has been some consensus on the need for the Agency to be an independent body, rather than either or both of the electoral authorities. The Organic Law also provides that the Agency must carry out its duties in an impartial manner without regard to the outcome of the Referendum (subsection 60(1)). In addition, the Agency is not permitted to engage in promoting any particular outcome of the Referendum, or support any person or group promoting a particular outcome (subsection 60(2)).