FEO to attend Foreign Election Management Body Officials Course in Seoul, Korea

The Fijian Elections Office will be sending 11 of its staff to join the Foreign Election Management Body Officials Course in Seoul, Korea from 19-31 October, 2015.

This follows an invitation from the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Fiji.

The course includes an overview of the National Election Commission of Korea, candidate registration and election campaigns, voting management, practicing Election ICT and counting management.

It also includes presentation of country reports from the participating countries electoral system. Apart from Fiji, Armenia is also participating in this program

The program also has a field trip to observe pre-polling, election campaign, voting and counting of a by-election.

The two weeks study program will be an educational learning experience for the FEO officials. It is important for FEO staff to attend and observe and participate in as many elections as possible. This is because our General Elections are spaced in 4 year gaps and the capacity building process will have to be from others elections experience.

"The FEO is keen to engage with other EMB’s to expand its network. One is always blessed to have the ability to pick up the phone and consult a friend or at least drop an email with a query and get an answer. The world of elections is highly specialized and there are few elections people compared to other professions," said Mohammed Saneem, Supervisor of Elections.

In thanking the work of the Korean Embassy in Fiji, Mr. Saneem remarked "the Korean Embassy in Fiji has always been a good friend of the FEO. Korea was one of the first donors for the 2014 General Election. The 4 Hyundai Santa Fe’s that we received in early 2014 on the day the Electoral Commissioners were announced have been extremely useful in the conduct of the elections and the daily operations of the FEO."

"Collaborations such as these strengthen the on-going partnership between institutions and the FEO looks forward to strengthening its relations with the Korean Embassy as it prepares for the next General Election."

"We are indeed honored to have been given the opportunity to be part of this course and would like to thank the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for its continuing support to the FEO."