October 21, 2022, ForumSec, Suva-- The Pacific Islands Forum Election Observer Team to the 2022 Vanuatu Snap Election has concluded its mission. The Forum Team comprised Cook Islands Election official Ms Veronica Papatua, Pacific Civil Society rep Ms Louchrisha Hussain, CEO of the Pacific Citizens Constitutional Forum, supported by staff of the Forum Secretariat.
In the lead up to the election the Forum Team observed pre-enabling election activities in Port Vila and deployed to the constituency of Tanna for election day 13 October 2022 to observe the opening, polling and close of polling, and the count thereafter.
The Forum Team observed election day to be peaceful, calm, and orderly, and did not witness any attempts to disrupt polling. Acknowledging that the verification phase of the election outcome is ongoing, the Forum Team reserves its observations of the 2022 snap election until all due processes have been completed. The Forum Team will develop a mission report capturing its observations and recommendations and will submit it to the Government and Election Commission of Vanuatu for their consideration. The report will be made publicly available shortly thereafter.
The Forum Team is grateful to the Government and Electoral Commission of Vanuatu for the opportunity to join a number of other international observers in Vanuatu to observe the election, a practice that Vanuatu has shown consistently over the years as a demonstrable commitment to good governance. --ENDS
