FIJIANS DEMAND THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE
REGIME ELECTION DELAY TACTICS CONTINUES
Torture Watch has long maintained that if the regime was genuine about holding elections in Fiji, it could do so within a 12 month time frame or even less. However the regime continues to talk big about elections to show the local population and the overseas community that they are genuine about holding elections and returning the country to democratic rule when the reality is that they are far from that.
Read here for earlier story: CITIZENS IN THE DARK ABOUT ELECTIONS: REGIME CONTINUE WITH LIES
In the latest move, the regime has announced that they are looking for qualified individuals to apply for open positions as Voter Registration Clerks as a part of preparations to hold Parliamentary elections in Fiji by September 2014. One of the pre-election activities required for this exercise is the registration of voters through an Electronic Voter Registration (EVR) system. There are 1,050 positions open that will comprise the EVR Team.
So much for filling the 1,050 positions for Voter Registration Clerks when the Elections Office remains inadequate and incompetent. The position of Supervisor of Elections still remains vacant and the Elections Office in chaos. Our source from within this office mentioned that they have no knowledge about what is going on with regards to voter registration or elections. This is also confirmed when one take a look at the advertisement which states that: "Successful applicants will be responsible to the Acting Permanent Secretary for Justice through the Principle Administrative Officer, Elections Office on conducting voter registration for eligible voters".
Since when does the Acting Permanent Secretary for Justice& Anti-Corruption. have responsibility over the Elections Office? This clearly shows how the regime continues to control every aspect of the electoral process by making sure the Elections Office is weak and incompetent. What good will voter registration serve when the main body in charge of elections, the Office of the Supervisor of Elections remains in chaos.
If the regime is genuine then how about appointing an independent Supervisor of Elections first. This is just a another delay tactic by the regime.
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