POLITICAL parties should not use race or religion as campaign tools, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.
Prof Prasad said NFP do not condone any campaign along racial and religious lines.
“We have consistently reminded all our provisional candidates to campaign on issues.
Our provisional candidates are equipped with publications of issues that we are promoting.
They have been in the public domain since July 29 last year,” he said.
Prof Prasad said no NFP provisional candidate has in 2014 elections campaign or during the current campaign, used race and religion as a campaign issue.
He urged the Electoral Commission, FICAC and especially the media, not to rely on heresay reports, but irrefutable and conclusive evidence like voice and video recordings.
“It is easy to malign provisional candidates and political parties by making wild and unsubstantiated allegations.
Failure to do so on the part of the media organisations make them guilty of colluding to fabricate such reports,” he added.
Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube said it was important for people to voice their opinion when political parties conduct their pocket meetings.
Efforts to get comments from other political parties were unsuccesful when this edition went to press last night. Electoral Commission chairperson Suresh Chandra said anyone convicted of inciting religious vilification could face a fine not exceeding $50,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or both.
He said he and the Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem had lodged a complaint each with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption(FICAC).
