Fiji's political parties, NGOs and other groups can now challenge the authorities over their control of gatherings under changes to public order laws.
Under Fiji's Public Order Act police can refuse a permit or stop meetings but groups have had no redress in the courts questioning such decisions.
This has contributed to complaints that freedom of speech and association is hampered in Fiji particularly in the run up to the election.
Fiji Live reports the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has brushed off such complaints saying parties have been campaigning and holding public and private meetings.
He says no meetings have been stopped so far but the amendments to the law have still been made.
