The Electoral Commission is advising all political parties and media outlets to exercise diligence when circulating statements.

This comes after the Fiji Times published an article quoting Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry claiming the Commission is not operating in the absence of a Chairperson.

Commission Members Simione Naiduki, Jay Lal, Kavita Raniga, Margot Jenkins and Selina Lee Wah clarified that the Commission continues to operate and discharge its roles and functions under the Fijian Constitution and Electoral laws.

The Commission continues to operate under Section 5 of the Electoral Act with a quorum of at least four members of the Commission.

“The EC expected Fiji Times to properly verify this information before publishing it,” the Commission said.

“While the EC members work on part time basis, the FEO operates a full time Secretariat headed by the Supervisor of Elections which could have facilitated clarifications if only Fiji Times would have checked.’

Responding to queries from the Fiji Sun yesterday, Mr Chaudhry stood by his statement saying the Commission cannot be legally constituted without the appointment of a chairperson.

Questions sent to Fiji Times remain unanswered when this edition went to press last night.

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