22 Oct 2004

Monitoring team gives all clear for Nauru election

2:17 pm on 22 October 2004

The head of the international monitoring team says there are no hitches ahead of Nauru's general election.

Maiava Ulae Toma is leading a group of five officials who are observing the poll on behalf of the Pacific Forum and the Commonwealth.

Mr Toma says polling will be open for five hours tomorrow afternoon.

"It's a small country and we think that they're able to get their act together and have everything ready for the elections. We don't sense that there'll be any hitches, and the elections will take place at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon."

Maiava Ulae Toma says he'll supervise the count, which will go through tomorrow night, and be at the declaration of results the following morning.