Don’t Mislead, Parties Told As Poll Campaigns Start Today
Supervisor of Election Mohammed Saneem said the start of the campaign period was effectively one month away from the possible date of the issue of the writ of elections.
Tuesday 26 April 2022 | 12:45
Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem with a copy of the candidates handbook on April 25, 2022. Photo: Wati Talebula-Nuku
As the official 2022 Election campaign period kick starts today, the Electoral Commission is warning political parties to refrain from misleading voters to win their support.
While launching the candidate’s handbook, campaign period and elections complaints portal yesterday, Chairperson Mukesh Nand said it was of utmost importance that parties do not engage in unlawful activities to manipulate voters.
“The FEO will continue to monitor the activities during this period, and anyone found in breach will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Mr Nand said.
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“We urge all political parties and its affiliates to campaign in a manner that is fair, transparent and as per the electoral laws of the country.”
During the campaign period, he said voters would have the opportunity to assess the manifestos of the respective parties and decide who they would like to vote for.
The commission is urging parties to familiarise themselves with the rules in the handbook and the Electoral Act.
Supervisor of Election Mohammed Saneem said the start of the campaign period was effectively one month away from the possible date of the issue of the writ of elections.
The handbook can be downloaded from the Fijian Elections Office website.
Meanwhile, Mr Saneem stressed the secrecy of ballot papers and said any calls by parties to include serial numbers in ballot papers was an attempt to dupe voters as it was against the principles of a free and fair election.
“Fijians need to be careful about some of these quick fix solutions proposed by some parties to influence votes,” he said.
“The Fijian Constitution is the paramount law and that says that voters have the right to secrecy of their ballot and any suggestions that would compromise the secrecy of the ballot will not be entertained.”
Mr Saneem assured voters that going into the 2022 election, ballots would be kept secret.
“If a voter writes their name on the ballot paper and indicates a number that they have voted for that ballot paper by operation of the law is declared invalid.”
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