No Elections In Early 2009

The Interim Prime Minister has told the 63rd UN General Assembly in New York that Fiji will not be able to hold elections in early 2009 adding that the stance taken by the international community, in the delay to the convening of the election has provided much ammunition to the Interim Government's opponents in Fiji.

In his speech to the UN member countries, Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the interim government is not able to schedule an election to return Fiji to parliamentary democracy in the early part of 2009, as earlier anticipated.

Bainimarama said this is due to work still in progress towards agreeing on a democratic electoral system, one acceptable to the Fiji people and which is agreed to by all political stakeholders, through political dialogue.

The interim Prime Minister said while the interim government believes the General Elections must be held as soon as possible, this will only be done after they have achieved broad consensus in Fiji for a non-racial and truly democratic electoral system and agreed on a Constitutional and legal way to introduce the changes.

Bainimarama said there is also hope that the delay of the President's Political Forum, whose main initial focus would have been on electoral reform, would be convened as soon as possible, adding that Fiji will need the help of the United Nations and the Commonwealth.