TRANSPARENCY and Integrity Fiji (TI-Fiji) has raised alarm over growing uncertainty surrounding the timing and arrangements for the proposed national referendum and the next General Election.
TI-Fiji executive director Paulina Rauca said the public was being presented with major developments without a clear roadmap explaining how the two democratic processes would be conducted.
“Many people were caught by surprise following the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this week that the referendum could be held on December 9,” Ms Rauca said.
“We have now also seen reports quoting the Fijian Elections Office on the possibility of holding the general election and the referendum on the same day.”
Ms Rauca said the developments appeared rushed and unclear because no comprehensive timeline had been provided for either process.
The organisation had earlier joined other civil society groups in raising concerns over a proposal to suspend election campaigning during the referendum period following a request by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
“There are now multiple overlapping issues being discussed publicly, many of which raise important questions about how these processes will unfold.
“Unfortunately, rather than providing clarity, the information released so far appears to be creating more uncertainty.”
Ms Rauca said citizens had a right to know what to expect and how the major national events would be managed.
TI-Fiji has called on the Fijian Elections Office to provide clear, timely and comprehensive information on the proposed timelines, procedures and legal implications of both processes.
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Justice Usaia Ratuvili said polls for referendum and elections were not mutually exclusive and, under favourable conditions, could be conducted simultaneously.
“We acknowledge that referenda and elections are not mutually exclusive and, under favourable conditions, can be conducted simultaneously without significant detriment to either event,” he said.
“This will be among the factors considered by the commission.
“We take very seriously our constitutional and statutory duties to conduct free and fair elections, impartially, and devoid of any direction or control of any person or authority.”
