Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

CCF says Fiji election possible by December

Posted at 01:49 on 06 January, 2009 UTC

Fiji’s Citizens Constitutional Forum says an election is possible by the end of this year.

25 months have passed since the military seized power and despite Commonwealth statements that elections should be held within two years of a coup, Fiji’s interim regime is yet to say when it considers relinquishing power.

Last June, Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers found that an election was possible by this March, if there was a political will, but this is being ignored in Suva.

The CCF’s head, the Reverend Akuila Yabaki, says once the electoral system is changed, a vote should be organised.

“It is possible to have an election by the end of 2009 if we put our minds to it, and that would show a genuine commitment to a return to democracy.”

The Reverend Akuila Yabaki