Teguh Santosa, an IFP Fellow from Indonesia, was one of 18 people selected to travel to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) for an Election Observation Mission (EOM) in March of 2009.
Teguh writes:
“Despite its amazing lagoons and the hospitable and friendly Chuukese I met in the neighborhood, Chuuk State has many problems. It suffers from a lack of quality public services and public infrastructure, poor roads, insufficient electricity and a lack of clean water. I was fortunate that in the EOM delegation there were individuals with expertise in the Pacific islands. From these individuals I received more insight, stories and understanding about the existing problems, particularly in Chuuk State. One of the profound difficulties in Chuuk State is land dispute, among people, families and clans. This is one reason why schools and other public facilities can be abandoned.
This year’s election is the most critical moment for the Chuukese. This year, Chuuk State is the only state in FSM that had organized two different level elections at the same day: one election for the FSM Congressional and another for the Chuuk State Legislative and Chuuk State Executive. In total, there were three elections in Chuuk State at the same time. There are no formal political parties in the FSM and Chuuk State, unlike what is commonly found in what can be categorized as stable democratic countries. Chuukese and Micronesians in general cast their political preferences based on personal relationships, clanship and family ties with the candidates. In Micronesia, politics is a family business. Nevertheless, the records show that the election turnout in the FSM and Chuuk State is quite high, around 80 percent.
Since we arrived in Weno almost a week prior to the election, we were able to explore public’s sentiments and reactions toward the election. During this “informal observation” time I talked to some Chuukese about the coming election. Most of them were aware and alert about the election. Election is one of their routines since they have an election every two years. We also heard from local people how each candidate actively organized their supporters and held meetings with them until the last day before the election. Overall, the EOM delegation in Chuuk State conclude that the whole campaign during the week prior to the election was peaceful, lively and free of intimidation.
All members of the EOM delegation in Chuuk State were divided into seven small teams, mostly consisted of two observers; two local students functioned as door openers, boat drivers and navigators. We observed several items including how each committee organized the polling station and the voting booth; how the layout of each voting booth was set up; whether or not activities in the polling places were orderly and professional; how each individual involved in the voting process—poll workers, poll watchers, and the voters—perceived their role in the Election Day; were the voters able to cast secret votes; and was there any presence of intimidation in polling places. In total the EOM delegation observed more than 50 out of 106 polling places across the Chuuk State, inside and outside Chuuk Lagoon.
After all, for me as someone who is studying political science, and also as a journalist, what I have seen and witnessed during my visit to the FSM and Chuuk State are highly precious. My interactions and discussions with all members of the EOM delegation and Chuukese people together with my experiences living for short time in Chuuk help me to broaden and strengthen my perspective on many issues, including local politics, global politics, culture diversity, and social development. I am thankful for all who made this unforgettable enormous journey happen."