‘Fiji Sun-Western Force Research Used Same Methodology Before 2018 General Election’
Fiji Sun’s Acting Publisher/ CEO Rosi Doviverata has responded to a complaint against the newspaper about the credibility of the Fiji Sun-Western
Force public opinion poll.
The general secretary of the FijiFirst Party, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had included the Fiji Sun in a list of complaints sent to the Supervisor of Elections.
Mrs Doviverata said last night: “The Fiji Sun has been publishing the independent Western Force Research public opinion survey before the 2018 General Election.
“FijiFirst was well ahead but the gap closed in the final months before polling.
“The election results mirrored the Fiji Sun-Western Force Research monthly poll.
“No one complained. The poll now still uses the same methodology. Nothing has changed.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s letter to the Supervisor of Elections was dated June 22, 2022.
During a press conference last night, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said: “We have asked the Supervisor of Election to look at the public opinion polls of the General Election as run by the Fiji Sun.
“We had verbally made a number of representations to the former publisher, Peter Lomas, unfortunately he is not in the world today.
“Despite these representations we see that Fiji Sun is carrying out this poll without proper methodology and nor is it transparent and nor is it giving where the sample has been taken from which has a bearing on the General Election itself.”
Other concerns
The letter also outlined False Statements – Haroon Ali Shah – Fiji Labour Party.
“We refer to the factually false statements regarding Government tender processes made by Haroon Ali Shah (‘Shah’) at a Fiji Labour Party campaign rally, and at which was present Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry held a Qalitu Primary School in Lautoka.
“These false statements were published in the Fiji Sun on 24 May, 2022.”
Additionally, the letter also highlighted its concerns ‘material published by Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) on its social media platforms and those under the names of its Party members’.
The letter questioned the financing of plans set up by SODELPA in terms of funding.
Last night Mr Sayed-Khaiyum gave examples of the two proposed hospitals in Nadi and Nasinu.
Section 116(4C) and (4D) require all political parties and candidates who make campaign promises to provide a written statement and explain in detail how these promises will be financially realised.
The Fiji Sun has been publishing the independent Western Force Research public opinion survey before the 2018 General Election. Rosi Doviverata Fiji Sun Acting Publisher/CEO
Website, candidacy tender
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s responses were on the margins of the party’s website launch last night and announcement of opening of applications by interested candidates.
Fijians who wish to contest under the FijiFirst Party banner for the 2022 General Election have until July 13.
“In terms of the applications of candidates we have various criteria for those that can apply. We urge people to email their application on candidacy@fijifirst.com, however, you can also submit your application to the FijiFirst head office, branch offices or Post Office box address at GPO 13, Suva, Fiji,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“We ask documents to be submitted to have a cover page, curriculum vitae, recent photograph, and please answer why they want to join FijiFirst party, how they can contribute to the FijiFirst Government movement, how they can add value to FijiFirst mission and vision and if they have any previous criminal conviction.
“The application closes on July 13. There are Fijians who have shown interest but they can formally apply now that the application has opened.” FijiFirst Members of Parliament (MP) will have to reapply if they wish to contest under the party banner.
He also urged women to apply under the banner and for Fijians to go through its interactive website where constant updates would be made.
“In our website we have testimonials by various members of the community who have given their testimonial in respect to FijiFirst on what they think, what are the areas they believe FijiFirst does address as far as they are concerned as voters from all walks of life,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He added that they had sent a copy of the letter of complaints to the Supervisor of Elections to all the people that they had mentioned in the letter.