Vanuatu / Tonga / Samoa

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Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu, Samita Singh, and Mihaela Stojkoska of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.

Vanuatu:

Election bribery reports a concern to Vanuatu NGO
The number of allegations of bribery and vote buying from the outer islands over last week's snap election in Vanuatu has raised the concern of Transparency International.
More in Radion New Zealand International. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/295175/election-bribery-reports-a-concern-to-vanuatu-ngo

Tonga:

Court strips Tongan Cabinet Minister of seat for bribery, corruption
Tonga’s troubled Cabinet minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu today lost his disputed seat in Parliament when Lord Chief Justice O. G. Paulsen declared his election on November 27, 2014, as the People’s Representative for the Vava’u Constituent No. 16 to be void.
More in Pacific Islands Report. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2016/February/02-01-06.htm

Samoa:

Wanted by the Court
Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu, has issued warrants of arrest for two individuals found guilty of running a money-making scam in Samoa.

More in Samoa Observer. http://sobserver.ws/en/03_02_2016/local/1967/Wanted-by-the-Court.htm

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