SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa has raised concerns about the timing of the proposed electoral changes, saying there needs to be sufficient time to educate election officials, political parties and voters before the next general election.
While making submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights on the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, Electoral (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Bill and the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) (Amendment) Bill, Takayawa says his experience from previous elections shows that adequate time is needed for people to understand electoral requirements.
Takayawa says he has participated in four elections, including with the Elections Office in 2014 and with political parties in 2018 and 2022.
He says there were issues in 2018 where some polling staff did not know what they were doing, while there were some improvements in 2022.
Takayawa says if election officials have difficulty understanding electoral requirements during an election, it raises concerns about how well members of the public will understand changes to the law.
He says SODELPA is therefore wary about the timing of the proposed amendments.
Takayawa also claims SODELPA was disadvantaged during the last general election and says the party is concerned that some of the issues it experienced could be repeated.
He further alleges that the Elections Office had been weaponised against SODELPA under the previous government.
Takayawa says some party members are still before the courts over issues relating to their residential addresses, including their village and Suva addresses.
He says while the Government makes the laws, it needs to consider the impact on the people.
Takayawa says accountability should not be weakened simply to make participation in elections easier.
The party has further submitted that the current Bill is opening doors for foreign donations.
Takayawa says while they agree with former Fiji citizens being allowed to donate, they do not agree with foreign companies or foreign governments sponsoring political parties.
He says in this way, we are sort of selling our sovereignty, especially with drug dealers around who have much more money to spend.
The party General Secretary says they might be sponsoring certain political parties to come and deal with some of the issues that are beneficial to drug dealers.
He has also raised concerns about the removal of provisions that hold political parties accountable to the people for their manifestos and the promises they make.
Takayawa says this is a very crucial part because the code of conduct for parliamentarians in Parliament has been removed, and now accountability from political parties is being removed before they enter Parliament.
When questioned about concerns that smaller political parties and independent candidates may not have the capacity to cost their manifesto promises, Takayawa says those seeking to serve the people should be prepared to provide details of their commitments.
He says political parties need to clearly set out what they intend to do, regardless of their size, as this demonstrates their political will and readiness to govern.
Takayawa has also raised concerns about proposed campaign spending limits of up to $3 million for a political party and $300,000 for an individual candidate.
He says there needs to be a clear distinction between expenditure by a political party and expenditure on behalf of individual candidates, as the current provisions could create confusion.
Takayawa says SODELPA supports the Bills overall, but believes there are inconsistencies in the drafting that need to be addressed, including provisions relating to party reporting periods, donations outside an election year, candidate and party contributions, and in-kind and digital expenditure.
He has also questioned provisions allowing food, transportation and services to be provided during the election period.
Takayawa says FICAC had previously advised SODELPA about campaigning and influencing voters, and he believes there are inconsistencies between the existing law and the proposed amendments on the provision of food, transportation and services.
He says electoral laws should make it easier for people to participate without creating confusion.
However, Takayawa says SODELPA supports the proposed reduction of the restricted area around polling stations from 300 metres to 100 metres.
The Committee is continuing to take submissions.
