New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has again expressed confidence that Fiji's election promised for September will be free and fair, dismissing concerns by parties ousted in the 2006 military coup.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully. Photo: AAP
Speaking in Samoa, Mr McCully said whatever the result the New Zealand Government will accept the outcome of the election.
His comments come after the Fiji Labour Party accused New Zealand and Australia of abandoning Fiji parties by pursuing an election at any cost, Radio New Zealand International reports.
Citing the Electoral Decree that could protect vote-riggers, Labour president Lavinia Padarath says New Zealand and Australia are getting behind a flawed process without any regard as to whether it is free and fair.
The United Front for a Democratic Fiji Union says things on the ground are not fine, things are not free, things are not fair and everybody, it appears, except the New Zealand and Australian governments seems to know it.
Four parties have been registered so far while regime leader Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama has said he will register his movement within weeks.
