The Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, has been appointed Chair of the newly formed Association of Election Management Bodies in Melanesia.

Heads of Electoral Offices from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji participated in a successful two-day Inaugural Conference at the FEO this week which culminated in the formation of the Association.

The Association also signed an MOU with the MSG Secretariat to designate Secretariat responsibilities to it.

Saneem said it is a historic occasion for all of them in Melanesia as the Election Bodies combine force as an Association- this is also the first time they have had a round table meeting specifically for Melanesia.

“The MOU is going to form the association of elections management bodies in Melanesia. A sub-regional association of elections management bodies.”

Saneem stressed that the first few months of the Association will be critical as they will undertake various partnerships and registration work with other partners and donors.