The National Federation Party has complied with the Fijian Elections Office’s directive and has removed the campaign material that was placed outside it’s headquarters on the road reserve in breach of Section 112(3) of the Electoral Act.
The FEO says they have noted that the banner has been removed this morning and the notice has been complied with.
NFP’s registered officer, Dalip Kumar says they have complied with the directive in the meantime but will be consulting a land surveyor.
Meanwhile, the NFP in a letter to the Supervisor of Elections which is posted on the party’s Facebook page has asked the FEO to provide them copies of advice from the Fiji Roads Authority and Suva City Council that the land in question is a public reserve.
Kumar says it is in their view, well within the boundary between the boundary pegs and 4 centimetres from the fence and even the flower plants are further away from the fence, but also within the boundary.
Kumar says they are asking for assistance from the FEO so that they may take legal advice on their directive.
He says their understanding is that the land on which the billboard is placed is part of NFP’s property and in other words, the fencing of the property is within NFP’s boundary and NFP’s property extends to, or close to, the footpath.
Kumar asks if the FEO has any survey evidence that says this is incorrect.
He further asks what provision of Section 112(3) of the Electoral Act they have breached.
Kumar says subsection (3) prohibits the placing of campaign posters and flags on public buildings, monuments, electricity or lamp posts and other public structures and NFP has not done any of that.
Kumar says they are waiting for Supervisor’s response.
