Commonwealth-Pacific Islands Forum Expert Team praises Commitment and Enthusiasm of People of Bougainville in Autonomous Government Elections
22 July 2005
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today welcomed the Report of the Commonwealth-Pacific Islands Forum Expert Team, which was present in Bougainville for the first General Election for the Autonomous Bougainville Government, held from 20 May to 02 June 2005. The Team was jointly organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Pacific Islands Forum, and was part of a wider International Observer Team.
Mr McKinnon said: "The people of Bougainville have chosen new leaders through a peaceful and democratic process". The Report concludes that the General Election was held competently and transparently in all key respects. The Team was impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of the people of Bougainville throughout the entire process.
The Expert Team's presence to observe the General Election followed a formal invitation from the Government of Papua New Guinea to the two organisations.
The Secretary-General commended the commitment of the Government of Papua New Guinea to ensure the elections were conducted in accordance with the Bougainville Peace Agreement. He also acknowledged the role and assistance provided by the United Nations and regional governments such as Australia and New Zealand in ensuring these historic elections took place in Bougainville.
The members of the Expert Team were:
| Hon Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Speaker FijiIslands Team Leader House of Representatives | Dr Kesaia Seniloli Coordinator of Population Studies, University of theSouth Pacific FijiIslands |
| Mr Howard Cayenne Chief Election Officer Trinidad and Tobago | Ms Juliet Solomon Special Adviser & Head of Caribbean/Pacific Section Political Affairs Division Commonwealth Secretariat |
| Dr Andrew Ladley Director, Institute of Policy Studies Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand | Ms Shennia Spillane Legal Adviser Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat |
| Mr L Albert Mariner Political Adviser, Caribbean/Pacific Section Political Affairs Division Commonwealth Secretariat | Mr Martin J Tete Principal Electoral Officer Vanuatu |
| Mr Nigel Moore Director Consular Division New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade |
Hon Ratu Epeli Nalaitikau, Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji Islands, led the Expert Team and was also the Leader of the wider International Observer Team.
The Team's Terms of Reference were to observe the preparations for the elections, the polling, counting and results process and the overall electoral environment. The decision to send the Commonwealth experts follows an invitation from the Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea in April 2005.
Note to Editors:
The members of the Expert Team began work on 16 May 2005 and remained in Bougainville until 4 June. The Secretary-General has sent their report to the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the election authorities and governments which are members of the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum. Click here for the full text of the Report of the Expert Team.
These were the first elections for the Autonomous Bougainville Government, as provided for in the Constitution.
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