Papua, Dec. 9 -- The final stage of the scrutiny process, the counting of verified ballot papers, is set to begin this afternoon (Tuesday Buka time).

All 249 ballot boxes have now been processed at the BRC Count Centre, with provisional ballots now being checked against the Referendum Roll before the counting begins.

Returning Officer John Sisiesi said the process had been orderly, accurate and transparent with nearly 100 scrutineers, international and local observers coming through the Count Centre to check every step of the process.

"All 34 Assistant Returning Officers have had their numbered ballot box seals checked, then opened with the contents checked and balanced: unused, spoilt and used ballot papers, and provisional and declar...