Five grounds have been laid in the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) Terms of Reference (TOR) on which a MOG member can have his or her accreditation revoked by the Fijian Elections Office (FEO).
This is stated in the TOR that was signed this week between the Fijian Government, India, Indonesia and Australia.
The TOR states the FEO may, following reasonable consultation with co-leads, revoke the accreditation of any accredited member of the MOG.
The reasons include failure to adhere to the laws of the Republic of Fiji and failure to adhere to the lawful instruction, direction or order issued by the FEO.
A MOG member who “has shown a bias in the observation of the electoral process”, will also have his or her accreditation revoked.
Obstructing election officials in the conduct of their official duties or not adhering to this Terms of Reference or the code of conduct for the MOG will also result in revoking of the accreditation.
The TOR states MOG members will have freedom of access to all polling stations and counting centres at all times, subject to the laws of the Republic of Fiji and any reasonable instruction or directions issued by the FEO.
MOG members will have freedom to examine all electoral materials including ballot boxes, ballot papers and indelible ink.
