Imrana Jalal urges Electoral Commission to hold consultations outside working hours

Fiji national, jurist and lawyer Imrana Jalal has called on the Fiji Law Reform Commission to consider electoral law consultations in the evenings or weekends.

Jalal says the decision to hold consultations during the working hours was "ill-advised".

This follows after the Commission’s Chair, Daniel Fatiaki expressed disappointment over the lack of attendance at a consultation session at the Korovou Police Station Bure.

Jalal further says the consultations are coinciding with the visit from the UN CEDAW committee this week, which is an essential time for women’s groups in Fiji as the country presents its report.

She adds the Commission or the relevant Ministry should reconsider the timing for better participation.

While responding to fijivillage News, the Chair says it is difficult to change what has already been said, and they will consider that in the upcoming consultations which will be held in the Western and Northern Divisions.

Fatiaki says they'll definitely take Jalal’s suggestions on board.

When asked about today’s session, Fatiaki says they had an incredibly good turnout with almost 30 people coming to express their opinion.

He adds that they are also considering the possibility of organising meetings with the NGOs to get their thoughts which will also be open to the public.

The consultation will be held today at the FNU Nasinu Campus from 10am-2pm and at Bhawani Dayal Memorial Primary School in Nakasi from 4-6pm.