Abide By Campaign Laws: FEO
With election campaigns expected to intensify in the coming days and weeks, all nine registered political parties have been reminded to campaign within the ambit of the law.
Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem issued a statement following the issuance of the writ of elections to Electoral Commission chairperson Mukesh Nand from President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere at the State House in Suva yesterday.
Mr Saneem said political parties must work with their supporters to ensure that there are no ‘hate speech’, threatening or undue influence behaviour.
He said campaigns should be as clean as possible.
“From this day onwards, campaigning is going to intensify and I would like to take this opportunity at the very first occasion to remind political parties and candidates, of the key legal requirements in restrictions for campaign,” he said.
“We also understand that the competition is going to get more intense, the campaign is going to replicate in the same manner and therefore, all the actors are being urged to be responsible for their behaviour as well as their conduct. ”
“Please comply with the law.”
“I also urge all Fijians to be respectful of other people’s views and opinions.
“Let everyone enjoy their right to political participation.”
Close of political party registration
With the writ of elections issued, Mr Saneem has also announced the close of political party registrations yesterday.
At the close of Political Party registration, nine registered Political Parties are eligible to contest the 2022 General Election.
Nomination of candidates open today
As of 8am this morning, nomination for candidates have opened.
Mr Saneem said following consultation with Political Parties, the FEO would be announcing the itinerary through which political parties would be nominated.
“We invite all political parties to make bookings with the FEO so that on the final day of nominations, we do not have a last-minute rush of Political Parties coming in because if any candidate for political parties is rejected on the last day, they cannot replace that candidate with another.”
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
