Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

New Zealand diplomat reassured after observing Vanuatu election

Posted at 04:26 on 30 October, 2012 UTC

New Zealand’s High Commissioner in Vanuatu says the election in the Pacific island country is proceeding well based on his observations today.

Bill Dobie and a number of his staff are part of the international observer effort at this election, involved in what he calls an informal capacity.

Australia, China, the European Union and the United States are also involved as observers.

Mr Dobie says what he has observed has been very reassuring.

“I went to a rural polling station this morning it was very well organised, very orderly, everyone seemed to be voting in accordance with the correct procedure, and now we are talking outside a busy polling station in downtown Port Vila. A lot more people voting here but again the sense I get, based on my informal observation is that things are proceeding smoothly.”

Bill Dobie says the international observers will not be submitting a formal report to the Vanuatu government following the election.