The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) will observe the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) General Election Tuesday, 07 March 2023.
The Forum Team is lead by Rosalie Motellang, a senior Election Officer with the Republic of the Marshall Islands Electoral Administration, and is supported by Forum Secretariat staff.
PIF Secretary General Henry Puna acknowledged the significant milestone this opportunity presented for the Forum to support the people of the Federated States of Micronesia. “I thank the FSM Government for the invitation to observe this important election, and commend its commitment to transparency and democracy under the frameworks that promote good governance in our region”.
Forum Election Observer Missions are conducted under the Biketawa Declaration 2000, the Pacific’s regional commitment to good governance.
In the lead up to polling day, the Forum Team have been meeting with a wide range of stakeholders to the election including representatives of the Government, Election Officials, candidates, various civil society groups and the Police.
The Forum officials will observe polling in Pohnpei State on 07 March. Contesting 14 seats in the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia are 29 candidates (26 men and three women) across the four States of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap. Each State elects one candidate as its ‘At-Large’ representative to serve a term of four years.
The other ten elected representatives serve a two-year term. Following the election, the Congress will elect the President and Vice President from amongst the four At-Large elected representatives. The President and Vice President then immediately vacate their seats in Congress, leaving the two At-Large seats they were elected from empty until a Special Election later in the year.
At the conclusion of its mission, the Forum Team will make a preliminary post-election statement capturing a summary of its findings and observations, and a final report shortly thereafter.
SOURCE: PIFS/PACNEWS
