MOG report says Fiji Election credible but NFP believes otherwise

Although the Multinational Observer Group report clearly states that the 2014 elections were credible, the National Federation Party believes otherwise.

The Observer Group states that the outcome of the elections broadly represented the will of the Fijian voters and the conditions were in place for Fijians to exercise their right to vote freely.

When questioned by Fijivillage on whether NFP accepts the election results and accepts the Observer Report as it clearly states that the Fijian election last year was credible, NFP President Tupou Draunidalo said the recommended changes need to be made.

She only said that they are sitting in parliament when asked by us on whether they accept the election results.

The Multinational Observer Group’s final report also states the election was enthusiastically embraced by the voters of Fiji, who were keen to participate in the democratic process.

The Group also observed that the election was conducted in an atmosphere of calm, with an absence of electoral misconduct or evident intimidation.

Draunidalo said the Fijian Elections Office and the Electoral Commission must implement the recommendations of the Multinational Observer Group.

She said the recommendations has vindicated the position taken by the NFP when they called for the release of the report, emphasized the importance of the report and its recommendations to be incorporated in any strategic planning undertaken by the Elections Office.

Draunidalo said this is after government brings before Parliament, the Media Industry Development Decree, the Political Parties Decree and the Electoral Decree to make the necessary changes as recommended by the MOG.

The group included observers from Australia, Canada, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, the Melanesian Spearhead Group, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and USA.