Pacific Islands Forum to Observe the 2019 Republic of the Marshall Islands General Election
18 November 2019
Suva, Fiji - The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has deployed an Election Observer Team to today's General Election in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The team is led by Ms Fetogi Vaai, Assistant Electoral Commissioner, Office of the Electoral Commission, Samoa, and comprises Ms Joy Manu, Acting Deputy Director of Operations, Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, with support from Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat staff. PIF Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, thanked the Government of the Marshall Islands for the invitation to observe its 11th General Election, and was pleased that the Forum would play a role in contributing to the transparency and robustness of the Marshall Islands’ electoral processes. “I congratulate the Republic of the Marshall Islands on their clear demonstration and commitment to good governance, and I commend them for allowing a team from the Pacific to observe the Election, utilising a process that is unique to our region,” said Dame Meg Taylor. The Forum also observed the RMI General Elections in 2007. Forum Election Observer Missions are carried out under the Biketawa Declaration and align with other regional and international commitments to good governance. The nature of Forum Election Observer teams allows for the exchange of knowledge between electoral officers, staff, volunteers and experts from around the Blue Pacific region. “We look forward to meeting with electoral officials from the region, and sharing experiences with each other on the common issues we face like encouraging greater electoral participation,” said Fetogi Vaai. During the mission, the Observer team will meet with a range of stakeholders, including government representatives, outgoing Members of Parliament, candidates, civil society organisations and the private sector. -ENDS-
Media contact: Catrina Rowe catrinar@forumsec.org WhatsApp: (+679) 9986455 Communications & Public Affairs Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
