After the completion of the printing of ballot papers, the Fijian Elections Office has accumulated 19 and a half bail bags of shredded material.

Deputy Supervisor of Elections Karyl Winter says these are off cuts and shredded ballot papers as it did not meet the standards that they had set for ballot papers.

Winter says this was all done under the supervision of the Fiji Police Force.

She says initially they had planned to conduct the disposal of off cuts and shredded materials at a recycling plant in Suva.

“However, it came to our attention that the management of the particular recycle facility is politically affiliated and one of its affiliates is contesting the general election under a political party.”

Winter adds they will not burn the papers as they want to dispose the material in an environmentally-friendly manner.

She mentions that all the 19 and a half bail bags will be stored in a shipping container at the FEO warehouse until the conclusion of the election.

Winter says afterwards they will then consider the opportunities available to discard all the materials.