ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION SUBMITS ITS REPORT ON MARCH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLONIA 000138

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/ANP
DRL, CHRIS CAMPONOVO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID FM
SUBJECT: ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION SUBMITS ITS REPORT ON MARCH
2009 ELECTIONS

REF: A) KOLONIA 28; B) KOLONIA 38


1. (U) Summary: DRL Senior Advisor Chris Camponovo and Gerard
Finin from the East West Center recently traveled to the
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to present the Final Report
of the Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership's (APDP) March
election observation mission to a range of Chuuk state and FSM
national government officials, including President Mori. The
report was well-received by all interlocutors, who agreed to
work with the USG to see how APDP's recommendations might be
implemented in advance of national elections scheduled for 2011.
Many of the recommendations fit squarely within the Compact's
capacity-building category and would be relatively inexpensive
to implement. Camponovo will follow up with DOI representatives
as well as election-experts in the U.S. End Summary.

The Positives
--------------


2. (U) In March 2009, the Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership
(APDP) sent an election observation mission to the FSM to
observe the Chuuk state gubernatorial and national congressional
elections. The East-West Center's Pacific Island Development
Program managed the logistics of the observation on behalf of
APDP (ref A). Camponovo and Finin travelled to Chuuk and
Pohnpei from October 14 - 19 to formally present the report and
its conclusions and recommendations to a wide range of
government and non-government actors - at both the state and
national level. Notably, they met with President Emanuel Mori,
and held an in depth conversation with his Chief of Staff, Kasio

E. Mida. They also discussed the report with Chuuk State
Governor Simina and representatives of both houses of the Chuuk
Congress, as well as with representatives of the National, Chuuk
and Pohnpei Election Commissions. Finally, while in Kolonia,
they spoke with representatives of the Kaselehlie Press and
Calvary Baptist Radio.


3. (U) In presenting the Report, Camponovo and Finin praised the
extent to which the elections were transparent and peaceful.
They also expressed the delegation's appreciation for the
government's willingness to host the APDP team as well as the
impressive amount of local participation, particularly in Chuuk
state. The APDP delegation was particularly impressed with the
hard work and dedication shown by election commission officials
in the face of enormous challenges and resource constraints.
Overall, the delegation concluded, albeit based only on its
short-term observation, that the election was not marred by
widespread fraud, and the results appeared to reflect the will
of the electorate. Notwithstanding these conclusions, the
Report makes a series of recommendations to improve the election
process, the implementation of which would strengthen democracy
and lead to greater confidence in the process and results among
the people of the FSM.

The Recommendations
--------------


4. (U) First, there is substantial overlap between the
activities of the Chuuk state and national election commissions
(e.g., two ballot boxes, two voter registration lists, two sets
of poll workers) - overlap that leads to inconsistencies and
wasted resources. The Report recommends that the FSM and Chuuk
state authorities coordinate and consolidate their activities.
This may require regulatory and legislative reform, but if there
are no substantive or policy reasons for parallel activities,
this should not prove difficult to obtain.


5. (U) Second, the APDP observers noted a general lack of
education and training among poll workers and poll watchers. As
a result, there were a number of inconsistent practices among
polling places. Similarly, the observers recommended greater
education for voters - not only on the issues, but also on their
electoral rights. Moreover, there were no independent poll
watchers - only those who represented individual candidates. A
vibrant, independent civil society presence would contribute
greatly to voter confidence in the process.


6. (U) Third, the Report recommends that Chuuk state authorities
look closely at the tabulation process in order to develop
better procedures that will minimize confusion and reduce
opportunities for mistakes and possible fraud. The APDP
delegation observed overcrowded tabulation centers and a general
environment of confusion during the tabulation process.
Moreover, there were a number of inconsistencies in the counting
process that would be minimized through better training and

KOLONIA 00000138 002 OF 002


granting limited access to the tabulation centers.

The Concerns
--------------


7. (U) Camponovo and Finin stressed that many of the
irregularities the delegation witnessed did not necessarily
reflect outright fraud; however, they created the opportunity
for fraud. Moreover, when voters see irregularities like the
ones above, they have less confidence in the process and,
therefore, may be more likely to question the results of an
election. Camponovo and Finin indicated there are a number of
NGOs in the U.S. that have developed extensive experience in
electoral systems who would be willing to design a program to
assist the authorities in FSM, most notably in Chuuk, improve
the electoral process. Camponovo, in particular, offered to
reach out to these NGOs to brief them on the Report and APDP's
recommendations.

Comment
--------------


8. (SBU) A program of the nature outlined by Finin and Camponovo
during their visit would not require a substantial resource
commitment. Furthermore it would fit within the Compact of Free
Association's capacity-building element, which is already funded
by the U.S. Not only would it go a long way toward increasing
public confidence in the electoral process, particularly in
Chuuk, but it would not require significant sacrifices in other
areas. Following elections, particularly in Chuuk, the courts
regularly receive multiple complaints about fraud and other
voter irregularities. Addressing such issues at the beginning
of an election process through the recommendations in the APDP
report may help avoid costly and lengthy election related court
cases. Post recommends that Department and DOI/OIA consider
approving the use of Compact funds for this purpose if and when
a request for funding is made by the FSM. End Comment.
DOUGLASS