Shooting incidents ‘unrelated’ to Bougainville vote

Two shooting incidents in Bougainville are unrelated to the ongoing referendum, says the Bougainville Referendum Commission.

A fortnight-long polling period for the autonomous Papua New Guinea region’s non-binding independence referendum began last Saturday.

Two shooting incidents linked to the pro-independence Me’ekamui group reportedly occurred in Siwai on Tuesday and last Friday.

Chief Referendum Officer Mauricio Claudio said the incidents were not related to the vote.

He said polling continued yesterday in the southern constituency.