Bougainville Referendum in October

The Papua New Guinea and Bougainville governments in a joint statement have said that Bougainvilleans will go for referendum in the month of October. People in the autonomous PNG region will be asked to choose between 'greater autonomy' and 'independence'.

Sources say that two governments are working on the full description of the terms. It will be given to voters in time to ensure that an informed choice is made. However, it does say that 'greater autonomy' will be distinctively greater than the present autonomy arrangement. The joint statement also states that those eligible to vote will include non-Bougainvilleans who are currently residing in Bougainville and have been there for at least six months, along with Bougainvilleans and their families living outside the province. While the result of the referendum is non-binding, it will be considered by both governments with national parliament to make the final decision.