Fiji Islands: Voting Phase Credible, say Commonwealth Observers
18 May 2006
Given the short time that Fiji Islands had to prepare for the General Election [from the announcement on 1 March 2006 of the election dates from 6 to 13 May], the voting process went much better than might reasonably have been expected, said K D Knight, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, in his statement released on behalf of the Group in the country's capital, Suva, on 14 May 2006 on the voting process in Fiji.
"We were struck not so much by what went wrong during the voting but by how much went right," he said.
Mr Knight led a team of six Observers and three Commonwealth Secretariat staff which started work in Fiji Islands on 1 May. They were based in Suva, Nadi and Labasa, but had travelled widely around the islands to observe the organisation and conduct of the General Election. The Group also co-operated with observers from the University of the South Pacific, European Union and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Mr Knight noted some shortcomings in the voting arrangements which included problems with the electoral register, and late delivery of ballot papers to many polling stations, causing them to open late.
"For every voter who registered but whose name did not appear in the final register, that represented a breach of the individual's rights. We greatly regret that and hope that serious efforts will be made to ensure that such problems do not occur next time. The confusion concerning where to vote and how to find out about this was apparent and needs to be addressed for the future. The postal ballot process also attracted our attention, especially in regard to overnight storage," said Mr Knight.
He stressed, however, that these shortcomings were not on a sufficient scale or of a nature to undermine the overall credibility of the voting phase of the election.
"The overwhelming majority of electors were able to enjoy that key democratic freedom -- the freedom of the individual to vote as he or she wishes -- in a process which, while not perfect, was reasonably well managed," Mr Knight stated.
"The secrecy of the ballot was assured. Generally, procedures were properly followed. There were relatively few serious irregularities. In our view, the Elections Office did well in the time available and given the difficulties with which they were confronted."
Mr Knight said the Group would next focus on the counting and issuing of results, which were as important for the overall credibility of the electoral process as the voting period. He added that a further statement would be made by the Group on the counting and the overall electoral process.
The Observer Group will present its final report of the general election process as a whole to Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon who will forward it to the Government of Fiji Islands, the Electoral Commission, political party leaders and Commonwealth governments.
CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 285, 17 May 2006
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