The 2014 general elections in Fiji will approximately cost about FJD$40 million.
This has been confirmed today by the Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum as the government puts together logistical plans in place with the development partners to ensure that Fiji has free and fair elections next year.
Sayed-Khaiyum has also revealed that the Papua New Guinea government will provide FJD$20 million by March next year.
When Fijivillage questioned Sayed-Khaiyum how much money other countries and development partners would be providing, he said these issues are still being worked out.
When asked, Sayed-Khaiyum said issues like election observer missions will be discussed later.
A sub-committee for development partners comprising of Australia, NZ, the EU and PNG is also working closely with the government.
A detailed approach is also being taken in terms of logistics for next year’s elections.
The government has agreed in principle to get 6 technical experts to assist in this area.
Two experts will be from Australia, two from NZ and two from the EU.
Assessments on the declaration of assets and liabilities still being carried out
Assessments on the declaration of the assets and liabilities of political party officials are still being carried out by the Acting Permanent Secretary for Elections and the Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem.
Officials of SODELPA, the Fiji Labour Party, the National Federation Party and the People’s Democratic Party submitted their declaration of assets and liabilities as part of the registration process.
Fijivillage today questioned Saneem how he is handling the information from the party officials who have not declared their sources of income and other matters.
Saneem said they are still looking into these issues.
We also raised the issue on what is the definition of a child under the Registration of Political Parties Decree as many party officials did not declare the assets and liabilities of their children who are over the age of 18 years.
Sayed-Khaiyum said no comments will be made on some of these issues.
We had approached party officials in the past and they referred all queries to the Registrar of Political Parties.
Overseas voter registration to start next month
The next phase of voter registration for the 2014 elections will start next month and the first country for overseas registration for Fiji citizens will be New Zealand.
Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said three teams will be in New Zealand from the 23rd to the 31st of October.
Sayed-Khaiyum said anyone with a valid Fijian passport can register to vote next year.
Sayed-Khaiyum said they are focusing on Wellington and Auckland for registration and will also promote the registration process in community newspapers, and itaukei and Hindi speaking radio stations.
From New Zealand, the registration will shift to Australia, the UK and the west coast of North America.
The New Zealand registration process will cost about FJD$40,000.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
2014 elections will cost about $40M
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