News and Public Notices

The Office of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner (OBEC) advises that ballot papers for the 2025 Bougainville General Election have arrived in Buka today, on schedule and in readiness for polling to commence on the 4^th September 2025.

The first of three specially chartered aircraft transporting the ballot papers landed at Buka Airport today from Port Moresby, carrying this vital election material.

The ballot papers will be held in secure storage facilities under 24-hour guard before being distributed to the regions under tight security, monitored by OBEC officials, scrutineers and security personnel. OBEC staff will oversee the unpacking and distribution to ensure the integrity and safety of materials.

All ballot papers are expected to reach the polling venues, in time for polling on the 4^th September 2025.

OBEC printed over 1.3 million ballot papers in Port Moresby under strict conditions, with OBEC officials providing direct oversight throughout the process.

Each ballot paper contains unique security features that make duplication or manipulation impossible. The security features include;

• Serial numbers. This security feature allows for ballot papers to be tracked by OBEC, using their tracking system. At several points in the process including polling and counting, the serial numbers can be verified that they are the ones issued to the polling team.
• ‘No-copy’ feature printed on to them. This is a security feature which is invisible on the ballot paper but will show up if it/a ballot paper is photocopied by revealing a printed message known as a ‘pantograph.’ 

Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Desmond Tsianai, said the safe arrival of ballot papers marks an important milestone in the election preparations.

“The arrival of the ballot papers is an important milestone that shows that OBEC is on track to deliver a credible, transparent, and inclusive election” said Mr. Commissioner Tsianai.

“We welcome the presence of political parties, observers, and the media to witness and report on these processes, as transparency is central to building trust. OBEC maintains a zero-tolerance stance on electoral malpractice, and I want to assure every voter that we are doing all that we can to ensure that your ballots are protected,” he said.

Commissioner Tsianai also said any attempt to interfere with the electoral process, including tampering with ballot papers, will be met with the full force of the law.

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