SIR FRANCIS TO LEAD MSG ELECTION OBSERVER TEAM TO PNG NATIONAL ELECTIONS

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Following an invitation by the PNG government, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) will be sending a team to observe Papua New Guinea’s National elections this year.

The team consisting of a former Fiji President, Ratu Epeli Nailitikau, Vanuatu’s Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Martin Tete, Supervisor of Elections in Fiji, Mr. Mohamed Saneem, Secretary to the MSG Chair, Mr Rence Sore and Member of the Political Bureau of the FLNKS, Mr Phillipe Ajapunya. 

The MSG Election observer team will be led by a former Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Sir Francis Billy Hilly.  Sir Francis who was the Solomon Islands Prime Minister from June 1993 to November 1994 also headed the MSG’s Election Observer team to the Vanuatu National Elections last year.

This will be the third time for the MSG to participate as observers in the election of a member country. The first was to the Fiji National Elections in 2014 and the second was to the Vanuatu National Elections in 2016. The PNG National elections will be held from 24th of June to the 8th of July.

Sir Francis, centre, signing his Agreement of Service as Head of the MSG Election Observer Team to the 2017 PNG National Elections with the MSG Chair, Prime Minister Sogavare of Solomon Islands. Looking on is the Secretary to the MSG Chair, Mr Sore.



Prime Minister Sogavare wished Sir Francis well as he leads the MSG Election Observer Team to the PNG Elections. Sir Francis acknowledged the trust and confidence the MSG has placed in him to once again lead the MSG Election Observer Team and expressed optimism for a successful election.

ENDS///

Source:  PM Press Secretariat

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