SOE says FEO advertises on all media after Rabuka says postal ballot applications is low because awareness and ads are being played minimally on other media but mostly on FBC

Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem says they advertise on all media after People’s Alliance Party Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka said that it is concerning that most of the awareness and advertisements by the Fijian Elections Office are being played minimally on other media but mostly on FBC.

Rabuka said in a press conference in Lautoka that this could be a reason why postal ballot applications are low as according to him very few people watch FBC, and this information is critical to a democracy and needs to be advertised as widely as possible in all media outlets.

The former Prime Minister asks that the FijiFirst government be transparent with the use of public funds when running ads on any media platform.

In response, Saneem says perhaps Rabuka subscribes only to FBC hence his statement is confined to FBC advertising.

The Supervisor says if he subscribed to other channels, he would hear or see their ads in them as well.

He adds, in any event, the FEO received 9,916 postal applications and perhaps Rabuka's statement was premature.

It was earlier stated that around 23,000 postal vote applications were expected.

We have also sent questions to Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum but he is yet to respond.