THE Fijian Elections Office (FEO) says it must respect legislative decisions and prepare for the upcoming general election and proposed referendum, despite having provided technical and operational advice on the referendum process.
Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said the office was working within the legal framework and following the timelines established for the two electoral events.
Ms Mataiciwa said political parties had raised concerns about rushed processes during a briefing with the FEO yesterday.
She said the office’s responsibility was to administer the electoral processes in accordance with the law, regardless of the concerns raised.
“At the end of the day, we have to respect the legislative process,” Ms Mataiciwa said.
“And whatever the outcome is right now, we as the election office firmly have to prepare.”
Ms Mataiciwa said the FEO had provided technical and operational advice to the parliamentary standing committee when it was invited to make submissions on the then referendum Bill.
She said other agencies had also been present during the process.
However, she clarified that the office’s role was to administer the referendum in accordance with the Referendum Act, rather than handle public feedback on the proposed constitutional amendments.
“Anything to do with the constitutional amendment bill, there is a different committee that has been set up to hear your feedbacks on that bill.”
Ms Mataiciwa urged Fijians to stay informed about both the general election and the proposed referendum, saying public awareness was essential to the process.
She also called on the media to help disseminate information to voters and other stakeholders.
“We cannot do this alone. Of course, we need the media to disseminate the information out to our stakeholders.”
