SESSION WITH COMMONWEALTH OBSERVER CHAIRMAN - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

(May 9th, 2006 No. 68)

Whether or not democracy and the election process are being facilitated well in the country will be reflected in the report that the Commonwealth Observers will put out after the Election.

Despite having just six members, the team has put all their efforts into covering and ensuring a proper and democratic election is being facilitated in Fiji.

Chairman, KB Knight was in Labasa with his team to visit the Returning officer Northern, Misieli Naivalu earlier today and spoke to the North Media centre’s Vani Catanasiga.

1) Could you give us an update of your group’s activities here in the northern division?

I’m getting a report from our observers who have been here and have gone to a number of polling stations. I’ve gone to where the boxes are stored.

I spoke with the superintendent of police and the returning officer, here in the northern division. And have just gone to look at the postal voting.

2) Which areas have your team visited here?

We have been to various places in Suva; the team here have been to Savusavu, Macuata and Bua.

3) What are your impressions on the progress in the various polling stations here in the northern division?

Well we don’t want at this time to make any pronouncements, what we have been doing is just observing and hearing from some of the voters, what are the experiences they have been having.

They are going around and have spoken to voters, been to polling stations. But what we saw in Suva was that some polling stations opened late, we saw the people there being orderly and they waited to exercise their right to vote.

Here in Labasa, again I’m seeing people being very patient, waiting to vote. And the officers, the electoral officers, from what I’m observing are trying to facilitate the process.

4) How many polling stations have been visited here in the north?

We covered only seven polling stations, in Macuata and then later Bua province.

5) How long has the team been here ?

Since Wednesday

6) How many team members?

Two, only two because with a total of six, the rest are spread out over the other divisions from the Forum as well as the European Union.

7) Any initial comments from what you have seen so far in the northern division?

No, I have just told you what we have seen, as you’re seeing here it’s very orderly.

8) Where to from here?

I’m returning to Suva today. The team in the north will be here until the 17th, which is the end of the count. I’ll be travelling back and forth, perhaps return to Labasa. I’m going to Nadi on Wednesday and travelling widely in the Suva areas.

Any challenges faced in getting your reports in the northern division?

None, there have been no difficulties faced in getting that at all.

-End-