Kiribati says travel ban will stop ‘chequebook diplomacy’ during elections

A ban on diplomatic visits to Kiribati during elections will safeguard against undue foreign influence during the formation of government, the head of its delegation at the Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting said. 

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Kiribati elections: Voters wait for final results

Voters in Kiribati are awaiting the final results of the runoff round of elections on Monday.  Twenty-five of the 45 parliamentary seats were confirmed in the first round on Wednesday last week, with those candidates

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114 candidates to contest Kiribati election, including 18 women

A hundred and fourteen candidates are to contest the Kiribati elections, starting on 14 August.  A second round of voting for the 44-seat parliament, Maneaba ni Maungatabu, is scheduled for 19 August.  Four

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First round of French Pacific results show radicalisation, especially in New Caledonia

French Pacific results for the first round of French national snap elections have shown on Sunday a firm radicalisation, especially in the case of New Caledonia.  In both of New Caledonia’s constituencies, the

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CARE, SIUP, SIPRA nominate Matthew Wale as Solomon Islands PM candidate

The Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE), Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP) and Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement(SIPRA) has officially nominated former Opposition leader Matthew

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Election results for Gao-Bugotu Constituency in disarray after pre-polling ballots were left uncounted   

Election results for Gao-Bugotu Constituency in Isabel Province has been thrown into disarray after officials found pre-polling ballots for the constituency have not been counted.   Independent candidate Trevor Hedley

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Sogavare returns for his 7th term

Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected for his seventh tenure as the Member of Parliament for East Choiseul.  The four-time Prime Minister secured his seventh parliamentary election by a total

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Voter turnout reaches 50 percent, over 80 percent of seats declared

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has reported a 50 percent voter turnout so far, with the ongoing counting in Honiara.  In response to SIBC’s request for updates on the voter turnout, Chief Electoral

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Tendered ballot papers used in Wednesday’s Joint Election

More than one hundred tendered ballot papers were issued to voters by some Presiding Officers during Wednesday’s election across the country.  Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Highwood Anisi confirmed this during the

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Opinion: Your quick guide to the Solomon Islands elections

By Priestley Habru, University of Adelaide and 360info Staff Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare could retain power on 17 April but who stands in his way of making history?  Solomon Islands sits on the edge of a

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CARE Leader calls for peaceful and respectful elections, 6,780 polling officials for 2024 joint elections

The Solomon Islands Leader of the Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE) Matthew Wale, who employed a character-assassination campaign approach in this year’s election campaign and sparked

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More demonstrations expected in Noumea as New Caledonia voting rules change

Demonstrations have been held in New Caledonia – with more protests expected – from both pro- and anti-independence supporters after the French Senate endorsed a constitutional amendment bill to

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“Palauans First” Campaign reboots: President Whipps seeks second term

In a rally echoing his “Palauans First” campaign slogan, President Surangel Whipps Jr officially launched his re-election bid on 11 February, becoming the first candidate to declare for the November 2024 general

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Fiji election countdown: Blackout period begins

Yesterday banners, billboards and building hoardings bearing the faces of Fiji politicians and electoral candidates dotted Fiji’s landscape. Taxis, market buildings, carparks and private residences displayed

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“Ready to Run” Campaign Training for Women Election Candidates

Building Public Confidence in Elections in Fiji Through Civil Society Action Dialogue Fiji Professor Shaista Shameem Vice Chancellor The University of Fiji Increasing the number of women in parliament is only a small

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Women MPs should be the norm, not a novelty: Bale

The absence of any women in the Papua New Guinea parliament is a matter of deep national shame, says candidate, Tania

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Outlook 2022: The year ahead

For the third year running, COVID-19 is defining and disrupting life, leadership and governance in the Pacific Islands. Compounded by climate change-related flooding and the devastating  Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai

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Outlook 2022: The year in Pacific politics

By Sadhana Sen For the third year running, COVID-19 is defining and disrupting  life, leadership and governance in the Pacific. Compounded by climate change-related flooding and the devastating

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Tuilaepa rallies in vain

The political car rally that took place in Apia led by former Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi on July 30 was reminiscent of the rallies staged by supporters of former President Donald

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A note from the editor

After more than two months and infinite patience on the part of voters, Samoa finally has a new Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. We’re yet to see what Fiame’s ascendancy will mean for regional

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Samoan Head of State calls for fresh elections

Samoans woke up to the news today that they will go back to the polls in just over two-weeks’ time, on 21 May 2021. Calling for fresh elections was the best legal way forward for the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano

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Presidential leadership for post referendum Bougainville

Bougainville is going through a major political metamorphosis ending one political status and entering into another entity.  The 15 years of Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Tenure has ended but continues

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On running for elections in Vanuatu as a woman

In the recent Vanuatu national elections, Dr Andrina Thomas stood for the rural electorate of Espiritu Santo. In this article, which was originally published on the DevPolicy blog, she offers some reflections to Elise

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Tough battle for Vanuatu women candidates ahead

It’s election campaign time in Vanuatu where women candidates will try their luck once more to outpoll their male counterparts and end the ‘zero women in parliament’ drought with hopes for a place in Parliament.

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