COMMONWEALTH Observe Group wants to see Solomon Islands participating in large numbers during the election on November 19.
Chairperson, Sir Mekere Morauta of Papua New Guinea (PNG)said, all eyes in the region and the Commonwealth are on you, when informing the media of their work at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.
“You have an opportunity to make yourselves, the region and the Commonwealth proud of doing it – and doing well – and peacefully. And you can do it,” the former Prime Minister of PNG said.
About 11 observers representing various countries in the Commonwealth namely Australia, Kiribati, Maldives, New Zealand, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Tonga, Uganda and United Kingdom have been earmarked for this mission.
Six have already arrived in the country with the remaining team are on their way to Honiara.
They will visit Malaita, Western, Isabel, Central Islands and Guadalcanal due to size of their team to observe the voting, counting and results process.
Sir Mekere said the Commonwealth attaches great importance to the conduct of credible and peaceful elections as a means of giving citizens an opportunity to choose their leaders and to hold them accountable.
“Indeed the Commonwealth Charter, agreed by Commonwealth leaders, and signed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, Head of the Commonwealth in 2013, buttresses this commitment.
“In the Commonwealth Charter, we recognise the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, in particular through free and fair elections, in shaping the society in which they live.
“Our presence here is meant to promote and uphold that fundamental belief,” he said.
Sir Mekere said they will be independent, objective and impartial in doing their work.
“Our task is to observe and report on relevant aspects of the organisation and conduct of these elections, and also on the environment in which they are held.
“The Group will consider the key factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and assess whether elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Solomon Islands has committed itself,” he said.
Sir Mekere said these standards are in reference to Solomon Islands’ own election related legislation, as well as relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international commitments.
In the coming days, they will meet with Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, representatives of political parties, civil society, the media and Commonwealth diplomatic corps.
They appealed to all stakeholders to play their due roles to ensure a credible and peaceful process, before, during and most importantly after the elections.
This is important given the recent political history of Solomon Islands.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
