People’s Forum to test election candidates

Candidates for the General Election in November will be put to the test over their commitment to reform if they accept an invitation to participate in a national forum, next week. Dubbed the People’s Forum for Change, this event is being organized by political lobbyists Group for Political Change, in collaboration with Mou Piri.
Invitations were issued today to a number of candidates to participate in what is expected to be a series of public forums on a national referendum, and related issues on reform. The first is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 8 September, at Pukapuka Hostel, 7pm to 9pm.
The leaders of the lobby groups say the People’s Forum for Change has the following objectives:
a) To improve the political environment and associated mechanisms of democracy, for all Cook Islanders;
b) To ensure voters are given a voice by way of a national referendum;
c) To reduce the number of seats in parliament based on reasonable and fair representation;
d) To gain a pre-election commitment from all candidates for the 2010 General Election.
The invitation extended to the candidates over the coming days refers to the forum concept as a “method of facilitating an open, informed discussion on political reform and providing for an exchange of ideas, and solutions among candidates, their parties and voters to help the public become better informed”.
A process has been planned to allow free flowing points of view, which will be managed by two moderators.

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