Fiji's unfair election process biggest threat: Felix Anthony

Transcript

The first leader of Fiji's newest party, the People's Democratic Party, says he feels more threatened by an unfair election process than the prospect of standing against the regime leader in the polls.

As a union leader, Felix Anthony, was a vocal critic of the Fiji regime saying it has trampled on union and human rights.

He laid a police complaint against Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama two years ago after being beaten up in 2011.

Mr Anthony's been opposed to the manner in which the regime has moved towards elections and refused to take part in consultations on the constitution.

But he told Sally Round he has no choice now but to fight in the polls.

FELIX ANTHONY: If we were not to participate in the elections, the regime would have a free run in this election and we don't believe Fiji can afford another four years of the same. Secondly, we're also concerned at the international community falling head-over-heels over Fiji. More particularly, Australia and New Zealand, trying to encourage the Fijian government to hold these elections. We believe that whether we participate or not, the international community, particularly Australia and New Zealand are in a bit of a hurry to recognise any form of democracy and any government that is elected. So that's also been a factor in our decision.

SALLY ROUND: Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama has gone forward to apply for registration of the Fiji First party. How big a threat is the incumbent Prime Minister?

FA: Fiji First itself is not a threat. However, the challenge to hold free and fair elections in the country is a real threat. Particularly when we deny a large portion of our community their political rights - trade unions, NGOs, churches. And then the electoral process itself. We just know that the Prime Minister and his Attorney General are now officials of the Fiji First party. Yet they remain in the official positions as Attorney General and Prime Minister. Yet the Attorney General remains as Minister for Elections. How fair is that? When you disqualify trade unions and yet you seek to hold official positions in a political party, and of course are in a position to dictate the terms and conditions under which these elections will be held. We are concerned that the Electoral Commission has been absolutely silent on this matter. There is no attempt, no attempt to try and address this matter and give the people of Fiji some confidence that these elections will indeed be free and fair.

SR: How are you going to make sure that you stand a chance?

FA: Well we certainly have, we are encouraged by the support we have received so far, we will continue to work with the people and we certainly hope the voice of the people will be heard. And if it is not heard, then we continue down the path of destruction.

SR: But are you going to take this up with the Electoral Commission at all?

FA: We will certainly take this up with the Electoral Commission. We were supposed to meet the Commission today, but that meeting has been deferred to the 20th of May, but we will certainly be taking this issue up with the Electoral Commission. And we believe the Electoral Commission must act on this. It is not good enough for the Electoral Commission to remain silent on issues that impact the Prime Minister or the Attorney General. And we have seen a similar stance when the Prime Minister decided without registering his party, advertising his political party around the country, riding in a bus. Now again that was a violation of his own decrees. No action was taken. Yet, just a day or two prior to our conference, the PDP conference, the banners that we had hung in Lautoka city to say that the conference was going to be held in Lautoka city with a date and time, were removed by the supervisor of elections saying that was campaigning. So, you see, we have double standards being practised already in this country.