MEDIA ALERT: The United Nations presence during Election Day

Simona Marinescu, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau will be available to the media during Election Day. She can be reached directly on:

• + 685 753 1007
• simona.marinescu@un.org

The United Nations in Samoa will not act as an official observer during the 9 April 2021 elections. The position of the United Nations in national elections in general is objective, impartial, neutral and independent, and guided by the principles of national sovereignty and ownership.

Free and fair elections are the expression of respect for human rights and dignity, and the cornerstone of democratic governance and human development.

The role of the UN Resident Coordinator on Election Day includes having a presence on the ground to get a general sense as to how polling is going, and to receive updates on the voting process for internal reporting purposes.

The United Nations Country Team is confident that the 2021 elections will unfold peacefully and will lead to a positive outcome for the people of Samoa.

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For further information:

• Simona Marinescu, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau: + 685 753 1007, simona.marinescu@un.org
• Aterina Samasoni, Communications Officer: +685 762 9145, or 757 3703, aterina.samasoni@un.org
• Damian Kean, Communications Consultant: +685 766 4375, damian.kean@one.un.org