election observers

RNZI reports the team begins arriving in Nauru over the next few days to begin their assessment of the preparations leading up to polling day.

The team is comprised of representatives from three Forum countries and two staff from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The team included people who have worked with election officials in Palau, Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, Australia and Fiji.

The Forum Electoral Observation Team would be led by Elliot Udui who had been working with the Palau Election Commission since 1994.

The team from the Forum will comprise three representatives from Forum Member states and two Forum Secretariat staff.

The Commonwealth team will comprise three observers and two staff members.

The electoral observer mission will arrive on Nauru a week prior to polling day and will remain until official results are announced.

This comes after two former presidents of Nauru called for observers to be sent immediately in the wake of controversial changes to voting legislation.

RNZI reports the government, which has little opposition, is forcing public servants wanting to stand to resign their jobs three months before the poll and dramatically increased charges for prospective candidates and people moving constituencies.