At the invitation of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea, the Commonwealth Secretariat will deploy a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to observe the country’s national election scheduled to begin on 2 July 2022.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, constituted the ten-member group of observers, which will be led by the former President of Nauru, Baron Waqa.
The COG will arrive in Port Moresby on 28 June 2022 and stay until the completion of the electoral process. During their stay, which will see them deployed throughout the country, they will be supported by a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat led by Linford Andrews, Head of the Electoral Support Section. The deployment of the COG was preceded by a pre-election assessment team that visited the country in March 2022.
Secretary-General Scotland said:
“I applaud Papua New Guinea’s resolve and commitment in holding this election, despite the many challenges that come with undertaking an activity of such immense value.
“As always, the deployment of this observer group demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting electoral democracy in member countries and a recognition of the right of individuals to participate in democratic processes through the credible, inclusive, and transparent elections that shape their societies.
“Under the leadership of Former President Waqa, I firmly believe that the observer group will provide an independent assessment of the electoral process and work together with the people and Government of Papua New Guinea to strengthen their democratic process.”
The COG will observe and consider all aspects of the election process – from the opening of polling stations and the voting process, to the counting of ballots and announcement of results – and determine whether the elections are conducted in line with the democratic standards to which Papua New Guinea has committed itself.
As per the COG’s mandate, observers will act impartially and will adhere to the standards of the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.
After election day, the group will issue an interim statement of its preliminary observations and hold a press conference in Port Moresby. A final report, which will include recommendations to help improve future electoral processes, will be presented to the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Electoral Commission, and will also be shared with other stakeholders.
The Observer Group members are:
*Baron Divavesi Waqa – Chairperson
Former President of Nauru
*Dr Nicole George
University Lecturer and Researcher
The University of Queensland
Australia
*Makereta Komaidrue
Editor, Pacific Islands News Association
Fiji
*Dame Winifred Laban
Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika)
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand
*Makereta Vaaelua
Deputy Returning Officer (DRO)
Electoral Commission of Samoa
Samoa
*Hendrick Gappy
Former Chairman, Seychelles Electoral Commission
Seychelles
*Peter Kenilorea Jnr
Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee
Solomon Islands
*Johnson Honimae
Chief Executive Office
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)
Solomon Islands
*Emeline Siale Ilolahia
Executive Director, Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO)
Tonga
*Wilson Toa
Country Manager, Vanuatu Balance of Power
Vanuatu.
SOURCE: COMSEC/PACNEWS
