Elections office critical of false information
The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) is of the view that incorrect information has been filtered to Opposition parties in respect of the 2018 General Election.
This is in respect of a meeting conducted by the Electoral Commission chairperson Suresh Chandra for all political parties on August 9, 2018.
That meeting discussed technical issues and administrative matters pertaining to the election. Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said this while referring to the Opposition Party Leaders panel discussion and public forum last Thursday. He said the parties repeatedly mentioned that the Electoral Commission chairperson Suresh Chandra had said that the commission meeting on August 9 was the last meeting.
“We went back the minutes and the recordings and the chairperson had actually said, that ‘this could be the last meeting if the date is announced’, he did not say it was the last meeting,” Mr Saneem said.
“Except for Satish (Kumar of Unity Fiji) none of them were present at that meeting, so I believe false information was conveyed from those who attended the meeting.
“Parties could have very clearly asked the chairperson to clarify without going to the media.”
Meanwhile, the panel members were SODELPA Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka, National Federation Party vice president Seni Nabou, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry, Satish Kumar of Unity Fiji and Aminiasi Navuso of Freedom Alliance Party.