pn900. Fiji: Bainimarama says two NGOs are part of political parties

Shamima Ali, FWCC

Sashi Kiran, FRIEND

Fiji Village reports PM Voreqe Bainimarama saying that the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and FRIEND Fiji are not NGOs but members of the National Federation and People's Alliance parties.  

This was his response when Shamima Ali of FWCC and Sashi Kiran of  FRIEND, concerned about openeness,  transparency and no government interference in the upcoming election. called for a caretaker government with civil servants running the country until the national elections.

I can see where he is coming from. Neither NGO has been particularly supportive of his Fiji First government but neither should they be if his government is not following good governance practices.

 There have been a number of instances where Fiji First politicians have interfered with the election agencies and the ability of people to enrol to vote. The insistence that married women, for instance, must enrol with their birth certificate and maiden name is a no-brainer.  It will effectively disenfranchise many women.  Similarly, using government resources for electioneering is another no-no.

Worldwide, NGOs frequently differ from governments on specific issues.  If Fiji is to have a fair election, it must conform to widely accepted democratic principles.

-- ACW