The leader of a Pacific Islands Forum team reporting back to Nauru on its observations of last year's election says they have had a very productive visit.
The 25 square kilometres of land which is Nauru, was devastated by phosphate mining which once made the Micronesian Nauruans the second wealthiest people per capita on earth. Photo: AFP
The Forum and the Commonwealth Secretariat provided monitors last year and this week have been meeting with the Nauru Electoral Commission to discuss their observations.
Gail Owens said they have talked about the low number of women taking part in the political process, civic awareness and voter education and the merits of improving this, and questions about the system in place for voters moving between constituencies.
Ms Owens said the international agencies are not there to direct the Commission, but to give advice.
"The suggestions really have to be owned by Nauru. We can make recommendations but we are not here to enforce those. It is up to the Nauru Electoral Commission which is new commission, but we are very, very impressed with what they have done so far.
"They are working very, very well together and working very well with the community and with government."