Papua New Guinea, Nov. 23 -- By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Buka, Bougainville

As thousands of Bougainvilleans turned out in large numbers to vote at 21 polling centres on Saturday, there was an air of general optimism for change and the eventual liberation from Papua New Guinea.

Voters, young and old at the two polling centres on Buka Island visited by PACNEWS were confident that the 'time has come to sever links with PNG, no matter how long the process will take, as expressed by 69 year old Taehu Pais from the atoll island of Nukumanu.

Pais and his 68 year old wife Aida did not want to miss out on the historical vote and made the 48 hour journey by from their island to be in Buka on Saturday to make their vote count.

When PACN...