An academic on Fiji says the outcome of a police investigation against Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama needs to be announced soon because of its potential implications on the September elections.
The Fiji police have said they are investigating the regime leader for campaigning without having his party registered and displaying an emblem similar to the coat of arms on his campaign bus.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in jail and a 27,000 US dollar fine.
An Auckland University academic, Steven Ratuva, says depending on the outcome of the investigation, Rear Admiral Bainimarama may want to defend himself and the case could end up in court.
"It would need to be investigated pretty early, and whatever decision they're going to make has to be quite early because it has implications in relation to the formation of a new party and also in relation to campaigns before the election."
Auckland University's Dr Steven Ratuva.
