A six-member Pacific Islands Forum nominated observer team has arrived in the Marshall Islands ahead of Monday's general election.
It's the first time a Forum election observer team has been despatched to any of its U.S. affiliated members north of the equator, and the first time in nearly 30 years an international group has monitored an election there.
"The Forum's legal adviser Shennia Spillane, says the team was sent at the request of the Marshall Islands government. We've agreed on the terms of reference with the Government of the Marshall Islands which basically involves the team having a look at preparations for the elections, the campaign, the elections and the counting themselves, and a bit of the aftermath we're here for, and just making an assessment of how the election is run, the overall environment and most importantly any recommendations that we might be able to make on improving the elections in the Marshalls."
The Pacific Forum's Legal Adviser Shennia Spillane.
Voters will elect 33 senators to the legislature for a four-year term.
