The new Vanuatu Electoral Commission building that has opened this week in Port Vila has been named after the late Martin Tete, the former long-serving chair of the Electoral Commission.
Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs Director, Cherol Ala, says because of the transparent and high-quality work Mr Tete did during his time as the commission’s chair, the Government decided to name the building in his honour.
Ms Ala says the building cost around VT5 million.
She says this is the first building to be purpose-built for the Electoral Commission, which has not had its own office in the past.
“It is a milestone achievement for the Vanuatu Government. And we thank the New Zealand Government through the United Nations Development Program for helping Vanuatu fund the building,” Ms Ala said.
The opening ceremony of the new Martin Tete building was witnessed by the families of Mr Tete, officers of the Vanuatu Electoral Commission and other Government officials.
Mr Tete passed away earlier this year and was honoured at that time by officials, colleagues and the public for his important role in overseeing Vanuatu’s elections.
He died as the counting of votes in last March’s General Election was about to begin.
