Eighty observers of the Multi‑National Observer Group from 13 countries and organizations are currently in the country attending training sessions today for the upcoming 2018 General Elections.
The Co‑Chair of the Multi‑National Observer Group, Jane Prentice reminded the observers that they were independent members of the Multi‑National Observer Group and are to be objective and impartial in their observations and, most importantly, to respect the laws of Fiji.
Prentice also reminded them that as they perform their observations, they are a guests here in Fiji and are performing an important job.
She told them that the training today would provide them with the knowledge and skills required to perform their duties effectively.
Prentice says tomorrow they will be deployed to every corner of the country to observe both voting and counting on Election Day.
She further stressed that their work will not end there but shortly after the election, the co-chairs, will issue an interim media statement, which will provide the group’s overall initial assessments as to how the election was conducted.
She says this will then be followed by a more comprehensive report that will include recommendations to improve the integrity and effectiveness of future elections.
It has also been confirmed that both reports will be available to the Fijian public and the International community.
The observers are from Australia, India, Indonesia, Canada, France, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Meanwhile, 550,220 voters are eligible to vote during polling day this Wednesday.
The Fijian Elections Office has also confirmed that all 587 pre-poll venues have been successfully polled as of 2.30pm last Saturday with at least 63 percent turnout where a total of 44,667 voters have cast their votes and the last voter turnout numbers from Natia in Yasawa are yet to be released.
69,472 voters were eligible to vote during pre poll.
As of yesterday, the Fijian Elections Office had received a total of 3,360 postal votes and this included 783 postal votes from serving peacekeepers.
11,227 voters are eligible to vote through postal voting.
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