4 Apr 2006

Fiji PM accuses military of interfering with poll

1:29 pm on 4 April 2006

Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, says with general elections just a month away, the military's truth and justice campaign is interfering with a free and fair poll.

Mr Qarase has told Radio Legend it is sad that such a campaign is being carried out as the military is breaching the Electoral Act.

Mr Qarase says no one should be pressured to vote for a certain party but the campaign is having very little impact on his SDL party's support.

The military says its truth and justice campaign is aimed at educating people about corrupt and unscrupulous politicians and it will continue.

A military spokesman, Captain Neumi Leweni, says the good news is that chiefs who had earlier refused permission to the military to enter and carry out its education campaign have now agreed to allow them in and let the people decide.