Five Opposition political parties have  taken a joint approach to advocate for electoral reforms.

They say it will facilitate what they claim as “free and fair elections” in 2018.

National Federation Party (NFP), Fiji Labour Party, SODELPA, People’s Democratic Party and Fiji United Freedom Party launched their campaign yesterday at the Suva Business Centre.

There have been 121 recommendations made by the Opposition parties on the joint submission to the Fijian Electoral Commission  (FEO) which was submitted on May 18.

These recommendations are made on the basis of the observations of the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) on the 2014 Elections and the Fijian Electoral Commission Annual Report 2014.

NFP leader, Biman Prasad said that joint efforts would include reaching out to the public to inform them of the MOG report.

A petition is expected to be circulated soon, to be signed and to demand that the Electoral Commission make its independent decision for Electoral Reforms.

Yesterday the party leaders met with media heads and academia to enlighten them on the new approach and why they had to launch this campaign.

Mr Prasad said they were waiting for what they said were reforms to be made in accordance with the MOG report.

In the 121 recommendations, the parties have asked if hard copies of all FEO publications be distributed to all villages – to all local officials.

Also they asked for the ban on Police inside polling stations be repealed.

Mr Saneem could not be reached to comment yesterday before this page went to press. Any response will be published tomorrow.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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