 FSM Ranks 91 Among 163 Countries on Voter TurnoutPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 4, 1997 - In a Global Survey by Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) on voter turnout shows the FSM ranks 91 among 163 countries of the world and ranked number seven among the 11 Ocenaia countries surveyed, according to National Election Director's letter of August 20, 1997, to President Jacob Nena, copies of which were sent to Congress Speaker Jack Fritz, State Governors and Speakers, FSM Chief Justice, and Chairmen of FSM Congressional Delegations. IDEA is a global organization that gauge levels of democratic process and development among countries of the world and one of the dimensions chosen was the level voter turnout in which it was reported that the best turnout is in the small Mediterranean island of Malta, with 96.2 percent voter turnout. Which means that 96.2 out of 100 registered voters turned out to vote in a given election. The Republic of Palau with 79.3 percent is in 31st position down the list of 163 countries surveyed; the FSM with a voter turnout of 63.0 is at 91 position down the list; the United States of America with 44.1 percent turnout is 139th position down the list and at the bottom in the 163rd is Mali, a country in Africa with 21.1 percent. Mallarme says that his office has established contact with IDEA to take advantage of the available election resources, technical expertise and know-how and funding sources for election projects in countries around the world. IDEA is one of the funding sources for South Pacific Electoral Officials Conference in Suva, Fiji, from October 8th to the 10th to which National Election Director Mallarme and Assistant Director Heinrick A. Stevenson were invited to attend. Their expenses will be absorbed by IDEA and other funding sources for the conference, marrlarme says. The Australian Electoral Commission is spearheading this historic conference. |