The Electoral Commission is calling on Political Parties, their agents and supporters – to respect the right of political choice of every Fijian.
This comes in light of a case where threats have allegedly been made, by landowners to residents in a settlement residing on their land, to vote for a particular party.
The Commission states – the Legal Framework in Fiji in relation to elections, guarantees the right of every voter to select a candidate of their choice in secrecy, and the Electoral Commission will ensure that this right is protected.
Political parties, their agents and supporters are reminded to uphold “clause 6 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties”, as stipulated in the Political Parties Act 2013.
According to section 141 of the Electoral Act – any person who hinders or interferes with the free exercise, or performance by any other person of any political right or duty, that is relevant to an election – commits an offence, and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 50 thousand dollars, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or to both.
To ensure Fiji has a free and fair general elections in 2018, the Electoral Commission states it will report any alleged breaches of electoral laws to FICAC.
We will have more on this story in our 6pm news tonight.