SUVA (Pacnews) — Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has told the Indian media that Fiji’s general elections will be held in June 2010.
He said while there was pressure from the international community on Fiji’s interim government to hold elections within 18 to 24 months, lengthy electoral procedures had to be completed before the elections could be held.
His statement, which sets the date June 2010 appears in defiance of Fiji’s commitment to the European Union to hold elections within 18 to 24 months which was one of the many proposals in the EU’s roadmap for Fiji’s early return to democracy.
The EU, in its consultations with Fiji on its return to parliamentary rule, had insisted general elections to be held in March 2009.
The EU expects the interim regime to adopt a schedule setting out dates for the completion of the steps to be taken in preparation for the elections. This should be completed by the end of next month.
It also expects boundaries and electoral reform in accordance with the Constitution to be determined, and measures to ensure the functioning of the elections office, including the appointment of a supervisor of elections by Sept. 30, 2007, in accordance with the Constitution.
Fiji Women’s Crisis Center coordinator Shamima Ali said the statement made by Chaudhry, a former prime minister, was confusing.
“There is a whole lot of confusion on the issue because we need to be told the roadmap of taking the country forward and back to democratic rule,” she said.
“The political environment is such that there had been agreement made with the international community on the issue. Imagine if we do not understand what is going on at the moment, and then think about the grassroots people and how they understand the situation.”
She said Chaudhry and interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum seemed to be making different statements on the issue “that is causing the confusion.”
Ali said there is a need for them to come forward with a road map so everyone could look forward to it.
Saiyad-Khaiyum said he assumed Chaudhry was talking about the initial time frame of 36 months that was put forward by the interim government to the Forum Working Group beginning from March this year, “which is being revised by the independent group of assessors consisting of Bruce Hatch, Dr. Paula Harris, Barrie Sweetman and Dr. Kesaia Seniloli.”