11 Jun 2013

International committee set up to help Fiji prepare for elections

6:39 pm on 11 June 2013

The Fiji government has announced the formation of a new international committee to help it prepare for elections.

The Coordinating Committee includes Suva-based representatives of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, India, France and Britain.

It also includes representatives from the European Union, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme.

The Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says the committee's been set up to identify what each country can provide for the polls scheduled for September next year.

He says partnership with the international community will help make sure Fiji's elections are held in a smooth, transparent and apolitical manner.

The government says other countries and organisations may join the committee.

In April, Papua New Guinea pledged more than 11 million US dollars in assistance and the Fiji government proposed a joint PNG/ Melanesian Spearhead Group mission to monitor the elections.