7 Mar 2023

Forum team observing Micronesia general election

8:31 am on 7 March 2023
President David Panuelo walks into the Federated States of Micronesia's legislative chamber.

Photo: FSM Government

The Pacific Islands Forum will observe the general election of the Federated States of Micronesia on Tuesday.

Contesting 14 seats in the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia are 29 candidates - 26 men and three women - across the four States of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap.

Each of the four states elect one candidate as its 'At-Large' representative to serve a term of four years.

The other ten elected representatives serve a two-year term.

Following the election, the Congress will elect the President and Vice President from among the four At-Large electees.

The President and Vice President then immediately vacate their seats in Congress, leaving their seats empty until a Special Election later in the year.

The Forum Team will make a preliminary post-election statement capturing a summary of its findings and observations, and a final report shortly after.

The team is lead by Rosalie Motellang, a senior election officer with the Marshall Islands Electoral Administration, and is supported by Forum Secretariat staff.

At the conclusion of its mission the Forum Team will make a preliminary post-election statement capturing a summary of its findings and observations, and a final report shortly thereafter.