Elections under current system would be undemocratic-NCBBF

The National Council for Building a Better Fiji has now resolved that holding another election in Fiji under the existing electoral system would be flawed as it would amount to seeking to appoint a democratically elected government under rules that are undemocratic.

After its 3rd meeting, the NCBBF has resolved that any government elected in this way would be denied legitimacy and credibility, both within Fiji and with the international community, thus leading to further political instability.

The National council said its desire to avoid this risky outcome by the case for urgent electoral reform being taken up and dealt with by the people of Fiji through the consultative processes being undertaken to develop a People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress for Building a Better Fiji.

NCBBF in its view said there is an urgent need to bring forward a package of required changes to the electoral rules, as soon as possible in 2008 and for them to be brought into operation with due urgency and speed to ensure that the general election is held as soon as possible in 2009.

In addition, the Electoral Commission and the Constituency Boundaries Commission in their presentations to the Council yesterday raised the following issues and observations stating that a major impediment to Fiji's return to parliamentary democracy is the current electoral and voting system itself which is undemocratic.

Another observation by the NCBBF is that the current electoral system is undemocratic because it does not enable government of the people, by the people, for the people, in that the voting and electoral system currently in use is not free and fair, it does not enable the will of the people to be adequately reflected, it violates the Universal Declaration of human Rights by not providing for one vote to have one value, it also disadvantages and thereby reduces the number of women and minorities who go into politics.

At a press conference this afternoon NCBBF spokesperson, Kamlesh Arya stressed that the interim government remains committed to holding elections next year however, the changes to the electoral system must be made before elections are held.

Arya also revealed that NCBBF members met with the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo last night and requested his Excellency to take urgent action to call a forum to discuss steps needed for restoring parliamentary democracy in Fiji.

The NCBBF said the proposed forum is to involve stakeholders including all political parties as well as electoral experts and Fiji's major International partners.