Fiji Elections Credible But Still Some Problems

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The final report from MOG, the Multinational Observer Group comprising 77 observers from ten countries, gave what, in my assessment was an 8 out of 10 for the 2018 Election process.  Click here for the FijiVillage summary.


The main issue, they said, was a lack of trust, presumably by Government opponents, in the process. 

I recall Mike Beddoes, amongst others, questioning  the difference between the Eastern District provisional and final results—a difference that turned out to be due to the FEO balancing workloads.  Some Eastern votes were initially recorded in the Central District.  

The observers found no fault with the process and had no complaint against the Fiji Election Office. My opinion is that the FEO did a very good job informing the public of the voting progress.  Perhaps too good.Too much information certainly fooled Mike Beddoes.

The 117 page report made 21 recommendations. One was to add the name or logo of the political party to the voting papers containing candidates' names.  This would ensure voters at the next election know which party they were voting for. The 2018 Election voting slips contained only candidate numbers, which meant voters had to remember the number and not confuse it with another than was almost the same.

Another recommendation, with which I also agree, is that trade union officials do not need to step down from the union in order to stand as candidates.

The Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem welcomed the report and is expected to make a full statement later.

--ACW




 https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382996/fiji-election-seen-as-credible-but-action-urged-over-mistrust?fbclid=IwAR3U2cvOvOtapF3E69so7XiZJl-1DYpLy0Grr89ia0vAjZrBSXTZowYZ_okClick here