Fiji Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
A former Fiji Defence Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola will head a Melanesian Spearhead Group observer team in the Solomon Islands election.
Following a request by the Solomons government, the MSG has compiled a team from its member states to observe the country's election on 3 April.
The team also includes Vanuatu's Electoral Commission Chairman Martin Tete, former Papua New Guinea diplomat Leonard Louma, and a member of New Calednia's FLNKS Movement, Rodrique Tiavouane.
Announcing the team, the MSG Director General, Amena Yauvoli, said the observers were expected to arrive in Honiara before the end of this month to prepare.
He said the MSG observers would be deloyed to locations with limited or no coverage from other election observer teams, in order to achieve a thorough observation of the polls.
In recent years, MSG Observer Groups have monitored national elections in Vanuatu, Fiji and PNG, as well as New Caledonia's 2018 independence referendum.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
