News and Comments Friday 25 July

FNP CANDIDATE SEEKS CONSTITUTIONAL REDRESS. Lawyer and FNP candidate  Makereta Waqavonovono is challenging an interpretation of Section 23 of the Electoral Decree that may disqualify her from contesting the elections because she was studying overseas for part of the required two years residence immediately prior to her nomination. She argues the provision infringes on her political right to be a candidate for public office guaranteed by section 23 subsection 3 C of the Constitution. The High Court will hear an application from the respondents that it doesn’t have jurisdiction to hear the case. 
Comment. This seems a reasonable request that the Elections Commission should have the power to address. I am not sure whether the Court has the necessary power to interpret the decree but, again, it should have.

National Federation Party candidate nominee and lawyer Makereta Waqavonovono says her main aim in Parliament will be to review the constitution and scrutinise all decrees to ensure they comply with the country's supreme law. The former Legal Aid Director says is concerned about the state of the rule of law in the country" and is keen in pursuing social and gender justice.

Read more at: http://fijilive.com/news/2014/07/lawyer-sets-constitution-target/58236.Fijilive
Copyright 2014 © Fijilive.com

National Federation Party candidate nominee and lawyer Makereta Waqavonovono says her main aim in Parliament will be to review the constitution and scrutinise all decrees to ensure they comply with the country's supreme law. The former Legal Aid Director says is concerned about the state of the rule of law in the country" and is keen in pursuing social and gender justice.

Read more at: http://fijilive.com/news/2014/07/lawyer-sets-constitution-target/58236.Fijilive
Copyright 2014 © Fijilive.com

THE AUDITOR-GENERAL REPORTS  that have not bee released for some years will be tabled in Parliament,  according to the P.M. The Auditor General’s Office is tasked with scrutinizing every government department and state entity, analyzing expenses and operational procedures.

 

SODELPA WIDENS COALITION POSSIBILITIES. Party spokesperson Sainiana Radrodro says they will contest the elections on their own but may form a coalition with other parties in addition to the FLP.  

CAMERAS IN COURT ROOMS WILL HELP TRANSPARENCY. Renovations at Government Building in Suva and the installation of , cameras in all courtrooms from the Magistrate Court right up to the Supreme Court.Media will assist transparency.  Chief Justice Anthony Gates says: "We only sit in open court. We don’t sit in Chamber anymore unless there are special reasons like national security, copyright, children or venerable witnesses" so camera footage may, on a case by case basis, be released to the media.

 "The constitutional cases, as you may remember, the hearing, the proceedings and delivery of judgement, all were done with full TV coverage."

SODELPA DOES NOT CONDONE RACIST COMMENTS OR STONING VEHICLES.  according to its media manager Sainiana Radrodro referring to comments on Facebook and allegations that SODELPA supporters had stoned FijiFirst vehicles., She said what was posted on social media sites by their supporters was beyond their control, and party officials were in no way encouraging or supporting the stoning of the vehicles of any party.
Comment. A less tepid response would have been that the party is appalled by these actions and strongly condemns them. 

BRUTAL VIDEO INCIDENT STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. Contrary to earlier statements, Police Commissioner Major General Ben Groenewald says the matter is still under investigation. The earlier comments by  Police that the matter was closed referred to advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions concerning possible charges against the person responsible for uploading the video. Groenewald said once the investigation is complete the file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision.
Comment.  This is good news.

'CONSIGN THEM TO HISTORY': PM.  Speaking of the old parties as  chief guest at Tilak High School the PM said, "We need to consign them to history once and for all – bury them, ignore their false promises – and set our eyes on the future we can build together, One Nation, putting Fiji first to make Fiji Great.

"You’ll have heard me say; Don’t judge me by my promises. Judge me by the achievements I’ve already delivered. And the record shows that if my government has been able to deliver what it has with all the challenges we’ve faced, it is by far the best placed to deliver an even better future for every Fijian when we put the election behind us."

He urged the students to ask their parents about the prejudice and discrimination they endured under past governments. By voting for the Government to stay in power, they would be ensuring a future where they will be treated as equals.

MANY NOT VOTING.  If the FBC online poll asking whether people will be voting is any indication, one person in six (16%)  says they will not be voting.  This compares with the Fiji Sun/Razor polls that have consistently shown 28% have not registered. 

FIJIFIRST CANDIDATES.  Some names are expected to be released tomorrow Saturday.