Pacific Islands Forum to Observe Bougainville General Elections

A Pacific Islands Forum Election Observation Team will deploy to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to observe the 2015 General Elections which will be held from 11-25 May 2015. This is the third general election for the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Acting Forum Secretary General Ms Cristelle Pratt expressed appreciation for the opportunity to observe the election, noting that the Forum also sent electoral observer teams to the previous two elections, in 2005 and 2010. “We congratulate the Autonomous Bougainville Government for inviting the international community to observe its elections,” said Acting Secretary General Pratt, adding that “As the right to vote is a key principle of a democratic society and of good governance, international observers ensure credibility of the process.” 

The Pacific Islands Forum’s participation in elections observations is consistent with the Forum’s commitment to the principles of good governance espoused under the Biketawa Declaration, and the values underpinning the Framework for Pacific Regionalism including ‘embracing good governance and the full observance of democratic values.’ The Forum Election Observation Team is led by Fiji’s Supervisor of Elections, Mr Mohammed Saneem and the Chairman of Vanuatu’s Electoral Commission, Mr John Killion Taleo, and supported by two officials from the Forum Secretariat. -Ends- For further enquiries please contact agnesh@forumsec.org