Counting will commence immediately after the polling period (May 11 and May 25) from May 26 to June 7 and the writs will be returned the next day, June 8, 2015.

BY JENNIFER NKUI

The acting electoral commissioner for Bougainville George Manu has finally made the announcement that the people of Bougainville have been waiting to hear and that is the election dates.

He made this announcement in a press conference today saying this is the announcement that Bougainvilleans have been waiting to hear.

After giving updates on the enrolment of Bougainvilleans living outside of Bougainville and the preliminary roll that will be sent back to the districts and COE’s for public display, the acting electoral commissioner finally revealed the election dates.

He said the issue of writs will take place on March 27, next week Friday and nominations will commence on March 30 to April 1.

He explained that nominations will take place in these three days while the polling period will fall between May 11 and May 25.

Mr. Manu who was happy to make this announcement on the election dates said counting will commence immediately after the polling period from May 26 to June 7 and the writs will be returned the next day, June 8, 2015.

The acting electoral commissioner added that he is satisfied because funding is available and he would like to thank the ABG for making funding available to conduct the election.

He then stressed that this election is crucial and they will do their best to ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast their votes in the election.

Mr. Manu concluded that they will be following the election calendar to conduct the 2015 ABG general election.