2 Oct 2013

Overseas elections experts due in Fiji to help prepare for polls

2:49 pm on 2 October 2013

Six elections experts from New Zealand, Australia and the European Union will visit Fiji over the next two months to help prepare Fiji for elections next year.

The Fiji government says each country will provide two experts.

The Minister Responsible for Elections and Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says the experts will work with the government, Elections Office and the Electoral Commission, whose members are soon to be appointed.

He says the work would include identifying polling stations, drafting rules and regulations to guide the electoral process and establishing a transparent system for hiring staff.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama's regime has promised elections by September next year.

Under its newly released constitution, Fiji's president has the responsibility for appointing Electoral Commission members on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission.