The Fijian Elections Office is calling on all Fijians to respect the 48-hour campaign blackout period that is in effect.
Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem says this will be everyone’s contribution to a free and fair election – allowing Fijians to take a breather for two days to think about which party to vote for.
Saneem says there will be no campaigns by any political party, no emails, phone calls or even text messages made to influence any polling day voters.
" Everybody is aiming for a free and fair election and this is your contribution to a free and fair election. Off course there are some people who have fraudulently said we won’t comply with this they’re thinking they’re above the law but we’ll deal with that and the FEO will be taking necessary steps."
Section 63 of the Electoral Act stipulates that in the 48 hour period, it’s strictly prohibited for any person to engage in any campaign, including any broadcast, advertisement or publication and distribution of any campaign material, display slogans, banners, posters, flags or colours of a political party or a candidate in the election, approach voters for the purposes of campaigning or distribute in any manner, including through telephone, internet, email, social media or other electronic means any campaign material or communicate political messages, including calls to vote for or against a particular political party or candidate in the election.
" I urge all Fijians to ensure we comply with the laws and ensure the 2018 General Election is a peaceful election which allows and promotes every Fijian to cast their votes with their own choice."
The blackout period ends midnight tomorrow.
Meanwhile, any person who contravenes this section commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or to both.
