15 Apr 2008

Value of Fiji text poll on regime Charter questioned

3:35 pm on 15 April 2008

A Fiji Human Rights Commissioner says a text poll, suggesting that a majority is against the interim regime's People's Charter, gives no reliable measure of the public's view.

The Fiji Times newspaper conducted a mobile phone poll with about 1,000 people responding.

The poll found that just over 46 percent are opposed to the charter, while slightly fewer are in support of it.

Shamima Ali says the poll doesn't reflect the reality of the situation.

"I don't believe in such polls. Looking at it and looking at the very narrow margin between the negatives and the positives, I don't think it's very realistic. I think that there're many more people who are against the Charter or don't understand it or don't know or are quite confused about it."

Shamima Ali says only a referendum would give a clear representation.