30 Mar 2005

Micronesia officials probe voting irregularities that may sway election outcome

2:17 pm on 30 March 2005

Election officials in the Federated States of Micronesia are investigating what they're describing as significant voting irregularities in this month's congressional vote.

The election office director, Bernell Edward, says he's working with the department of Justice to determine whether a new round of voting should be held in one district of Chuuk State.

Mr Edward says there was a huge discrepancy in the 205 signatures on the absentee voters list and the 676 ballots counted in the box.

He says the contents of the one ballot box could have a determining effect on the result for the district, where the incumbent faces two challengers.