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Electoral commissions from across the Pacific are gathering in Fiji for three days from 9-11 May to discuss ways in which electoral integrity can be promoted within the region.

The senior electoral representatives will be supported by the Commonwealth Electoral Network, the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) Network, and the Fijian Elections Office as they seek to increase awareness of globally-recognised standards for credible and inclusive elections.

Election officials represented at the conference hail from Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Josephine Ojiambo said: “����̽�� has significant expertise in assisting our member countries to achieve fair, credible and inclusive elections. This regional meeting provides a forum to engage in peer exchanges, which will nurture attempts to find solutions for the most demanding electoral challenges facing countries today.

“Working hand in hand with election management bodies, and with national governments at their request, the ����̽�� offers Pacific countries tools to achieve world class electoral standards,” Dr Ojiambo said.

Delegates at the meeting will discuss lessons learned from past Commonwealth election observation missions with a particular emphasis on implementing observers’ recommendations. They will also explore ways to enhance women’s participation in the electoral process.

Martin Kasirye from discusses standards of international election observations

— Mohammed Saneem (@MohammedSaneem)

In addition, the ����̽�� will brief Commonwealth Election Management Bodies on preparations for the 2016 Commonwealth Electoral Network Biennial Conference in June 2016. Outcomes agreed in Fiji will inform debates at the biennial meeting.

Simon Gimson, Director of Political Division at the ����̽��, said: "Our Commonwealth goal is to raise the quality of elections, and we are doing that through our global network of national election management bodies. At this meeting, we are working in partnership with the Pacific's own network - PIANZEA - and the Fijian Elections Office in particular to bring together senior representatives of electoral management bodies from across the region.

“By sharing Commonwealth and regional best practices and knowledge, we can improve the integrity of elections, ensuring that our Parliaments reflect the people they represent. Lessons learned from this Pacific meeting of electoral leaders and experts will be shared with our pan-Commonwealth network and add value at its biennial meeting in June", he said.

PIANZEA is an association of Pacific electoral administrators who, in the Pacific spirit, collectively encourage the free flow of electoral information among member countries and provide assistance where possible.

Kevin Kitson, First Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Electoral Commission, said: “The Australian Electoral Commission and the PIANZEA Secretariat supports strong collaboration between PIANZEA and the Commonwealth Electoral Network. We look forward to working closely together to strengthen electoral integrity and support election management capacity in our region.”

The Fijian Elections Office has generously supported the organisation of the meeting. Mohammed Saneem, Fiji’s Supervisor of Elections, commented: “The Fijian Elections Office welcomes this first collaboration between PIANZEA and the Commonwealth Electoral Network in setting up a platform for vibrant discussions on electoral integrity in the Pacific region.” 

Ms Talia, Office of the AG, Tuvalu shares her

— Mohammed Saneem (@MohammedSaneem)