The announcement of provisional candidates by a political party to contest this year’s General Election is not recognized by the Fijian Elections Office.

This was highlighted by Elections Supervisor, Mohammed Saneem where he also revealed there have been complains regarding activities carried out by some provisional candidates.

Saneem is calling on political parties to follow the code of conduct in the Political Parties Act to help guide their provisional candidates.

“There is no such thing as provisional candidate in the law – parties according to their own campaign framework have developed this concept that they are my provisional candidates, that’s with the party. It’s at their level but it’s not officially recognized by us. When it comes to an election, the Fiji Elections Office maintains information and data and releases information that is legally required and that’s what we do.”

Political parties are also subject to a Code of Conduct and must strictly adhere to its provisions.

These include the requirement that every political party shall: Respond to the interests, concerns and needs of Fijians.

Respect and uphold the democratic process as they compete for political power so as to implement their policies and not engage in violence, bribery and corruption or advocate racial or religious hatred, incitement or vilification.

Meanwhile, three political parties have announced some of their provisional candidates for the national poll.