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Parties urged to contribute to electoral bills

January 28, 2021 4:51 pm

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Suresh Chandra. [File Photo]

Political parties have been encouraged to engage constructively on seven bills to amend Fiji’s electoral laws.

The Bills are due in parliament next week.

Electoral Commission Chair Suresh Chandra in a meeting with political parties today pointed out that the amendments are based on reports compiled after the 2018 General Election.

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“To amend the electoral act, the political parties act, the electoral registration voters act and the Electoral Commission has noted the proposed amendments stem from the joint report from the Electoral Commission and the Supervisor of Elections after the 2018 general election.”

One major change is to allow party symbols on ballot papers.

Chandra says the Commission is confident that once the amendments are approved by Parliament, the Electoral Framework in Fiji will be further strengthened.

He has also called on all registered political parties to examine the proposed amendments and make contributions.

“The Parliament is empowered to make laws and at this point it is looking at Election Laws. Parties can contact the Parliament Secretariat to make their contributions.”

The Electoral Commission will be reviewing the number of seats for the 2022 general election by June.