28 May 2008

More contradictory statements from Fiji interim Government over its election commitment

7:48 pm on 28 May 2008

The Fiji interim Government is continuing to put out mixed messages on whether it will hold elections in March next year.

The interim Foreign Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, has told his counterparts at the Melanesian Spearhead Group summit in Port Vila, that Fiji is committed to holding a free, fair and transparent democratic election in March 2009.

But this comes just days after the interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, said that polls would not happen if his People's Charter was not in place.

He also has threatened to exclude Fiji's largest political party, the SDL, from taking part in the poll.

Meanwhile the interim Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum has said the commitment is dependent on the proper logistics being put in place.