Two Women, One a Fijian, One a New Zealander

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Fijian Lenora Qereqeretabua, the third successful NFP candidate who won a seat in the Fiji election, has come out strongly against the 48-hour Blackout, the period before election day during which there can be no politicizing. She has a point. 48 hours is a long time. However, the leader of the Multinational Observer Group had no problem with 48 hours, but
thought greater clarity was needed on what can and cannot be done during this time. 

My view is that 24 hours should be adequate to meet the law's intention.  I wonder also about its effectiveness when postal votes are cast before this, and what should happen when election day spreads over several day, as it did in this election, due to the weather closing some polling stations on "election day".

But,  there certainly should be some blackout time.  

I think back to not long ago when there was none, and when political parties erected "sheds" close to polling stations where those about to vote were plied with food and drink, and then, heads dizzy from drinking too much yaqona, they were expected to vote for the party in whose shed they had imbibed. And the parties protested when they didn't.

The Commission of Enquiry on the 2006 election expressed a number of concerns, one of which was about the sheds. Dr David Neilson writes: 

It advocates the introduction of electronic voting machines as a way to simplify vote-casting and vote - counting, addressing major security concerns, and replacing party political sheds with a single shed available for all,  after voters have cast their votes. 

The New Zealander
Compare Lenora's reasonable statement with this politicking by aspiring future National Party leader Judith Collins which was applauded by right-wing blogger Cameron Slater in Whaleoil:

"We've got an PM at the moment who's happy to destroy an entire industry. The oil and gas industry, overnight on the flick of a switch to get a headline."  

But there's no overnight destruction. Leases will continue until they expire in 20 or more years time. And Government's intention is part of a commitment to reduce global warming, that could well destroy our grandchildren.  This Indian proverb comes to mind:

"Only when the last tree has died, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught, will be realize we cannot eat money".

Moreover, PM Jacinda Ardern does not need headlines. She has plenty of them on many issues. It's Judith Collins who needs headlines if she is to replace Simon Bridges as leader of the Opposition National Party.

The quote above comes from QuipsandQuotes in the NZ Listener. Here are two others that are politically relevant:

"What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what is happening." -- Donald Trump.

"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." -- George Orwell in his novel 1984.

--ACW