The Electoral Commission has recommended that it be made a mediator or if necessary, an arbitrator for disputes between political parties.

Commission Chair Suresh Chandra made submissions to the parliamentary standing committee on Justice Law and Human Rights which is considering three bills to amend Fiji’s electoral framework.

Chandra says the Political Parties Registration Act has introduced dispute resolution processes in the law.

He adds any decision of the Commission as a mediator or to arbitrator should be final and is not subject to any further appeal or review by any court, tribunal or any other adjudicating body.

“In an election, timelines are essential and taking legal action may not fit within the expected timelines of the elections. Proceedings in the court may give the desired outcome but the event may have passed its necessity.”

The Commission adds this critical amendment if adopted, will introduce dispute resolution mechanisms between political parties.