25 Jul 2008

Fiji Electoral Commission confirms poll delays

3:17 pm on 25 July 2008

Fiji's Electoral Commission has suggested that the next election may take place more than a year after changes have been made to the electoral system as planned by the interim regime.

Last weekend, the interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimamara, said polls by March as promised to Forum leaders won't go ahead.

The Commission's chairman Mohammed Kamal Ud Dean Sahu Khan has told Radio Fiji that the changes proposed by the interim regime may require an election preparation period of between 12 and 15 months.

Mr Sahu Khan says there may be a need for new electoral boundaries.

The military overthrew the government elected in 2006.