Even though  a date for the 2018  General Election is not finalised, one thing political parties will not be able to deny is that they have had time to campaign.

For months now at least four political parties- SODELPA, National Federation Party, Fiji Labour Party and Unity Fiji have been openly holding campaign meetings.

Their provisional candidates have also been seen going to individual homes passing out their flyers.

FijiFirst is the only party which has not had any campaign meetings right now.

SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka and a team including provisional candidate Tanya Waqanika are currently in Kadavu to introduce their Kadavu candidate.

NFP has been holding a series of pocket meetings almost daily.

They have been very active on Facebook and their leader Biman Prasad has been seen travelling across the country for various meets.

Their candidates were handing out their individual flyers in Nausori earlier this week.

Another one of their provisional candidates’ will be holding a yoga session at a park today. A creative way of reaching out to the people.

Both Fiji Labour Party’s ‘leaders’- Mahendra Chaudhry and Aman Ravindra Singh are in Labasa for campaign meetings.

Mr Singh has been active on Facebook and has been out and about holding meetings as well.

Their stay in Labasa will be for three days.

Unity Fiji has been holding workshops for their provisional candidates and have no doubt been out there in the community.

And, they have been able to do this without any fear. Their movements have not been restricted, except in the case of Sitiveni Rabuka, who has a criminal case against him and most importantly, these political parties have been free to speak their minds.

All eyes are no doubt on what FijiFirst is doing and when the party will announce its candidates and policies.

But, despite the fact that the ruling party is focussed on running the country, it has not stopped the Opposition parties from campaigning.

That is one thing less to complain about when international observers arrive into the country.

JYOTI PRATIBHA

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj