The NGO Coalition for Human Rights is calling on all Fijians to respect the democratic process and uphold the rule of law as we await the final election results this Sunday.
In a statement, the NGO Coalition says the rule of law is the glue that binds the country together, and it is the foundation of our unity.
They say it is essential for the protection of the values on which Fiji is founded, and these values are democracy, freedom, equality and respect for human rights.
It says elections play a crucial role in building a more stable parliamentary democracy, and ensuring that there is a free and fair election process is integral to this process.
The NGO Coalition says the right to vote and to have that vote counted is democracy’s threshold liberty, and without it, nothing is possible, but with it, anything is possible.
It says people have voted and exercised their basic human right to vote in the spirit of democracy, and we must always respect that.
The NGO Coalition says if there is a question around integrity, fairness and transparency in any election process, the recourse is through the laws, which will provide legal ways to challenge it.
It calls upon the Fijian Electoral Commission, Supervisor of Elections, public offices, and all parties to continuously strive to support the constitutional and political rights of all Fijian citizens in ensuring the right to free and fair elections.
It asks all involved in the counting process to remain calm and to carry on counting the ballots.
The NGO Coalition calls on all people of Fiji to remain patient and to always remember that their right to demand accountability comes with carrying out that responsibility based on facts and credible information.
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