Saneem Tells: Terms of Reference for Observers
The observers were invited based on terms which is present in the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) report, says the Supervisor of Elections.
The Fijian Elections Office has clarified that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for inter
national observers dur- ing the 2014 General Election was agreed to between the co-leads and the Fijian Government. Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said the observers were invited based on terms which is present in the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) report. Mr Saneem made the response in relation to concerns by five political parties that the 2014 election observers did not work according to their own terms, but rather worked on the terms imposed by the minister responsible for Elections. “Should there be observers in this election (2018) that will also be based on terms of reference,” he said. “If you look at the European Union, the Commonwealth they all operate based on a term of reference. Nobody sends observer missions without terms of reference, so this is standard international practice.
“It appears that political parties do not really understand how it works. I do not know where they are getting their information from.” He added, “they should probably talk to the minister responsible for elections to get clarification on that.”
A statement distributed by the parties on Thursday stressed the need for independent international and domestic observer groups to be present before, during and after the elec- tion to monitor the process and validate that the elections are free, fair and credible.
“Parties remain concerned that the Electoral Commission rejects the constitutional responsibility to ensure a free and fair elections,” the statement said.
“Political parties believe this role includes the responsibility to call for international and domestic observers who should work to their own terms of reference rather than one imposed by the Minister responsible for Elections, as in 2014.”
If you look at the European Union, the Commonwealth they all operate based on a term of reference. Nobody sends observer missions without terms of reference, so this is standard international practice. It appears that political parties do not really understand how it works. I do not know where they are getting their information from. Mohammed Saneem Supervisor of Elections