While the results of the vote are still being finalised, the Australian Government has congratulated Vanuatu on holding its elections on Friday 22 January 2016.
Initial reports indicate the election was conducted peacefully and in an orderly fashion.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Hon Steven Ciobo commended the authorities’ efforts in managing the election, given the elections took place less than one year after the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pam and given the limited time to prepare following the dissolution of Parliament on 24 November 2015.
Ciobo said Australia was pleased to support the elections through the provision of logistics support for the delivery of ballot boxes and by providing officials to observe polling stations around the country.
In addition, the Federal Member for Ryan, Jane Prentice MP, was part of the Commonwealth Observer Group led by former Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham.
The Australian Government said it looks forward to working with Vanuatu’s new Government and Parliament once the full results of the election become clear.