The Forum Ministerial Contact group has been informed by the Elections Office that a timetable cannot be set to hold general elections in Fiji at this stage.
Speaking to Fijivillage after meeting the high powered delegation this afternoon, chairman of the Electoral Commission M.K.Khan said the Foreign Minister's questioned them on when they will be ready to hold election in Fiji.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Fijivillage the meeting with the Elections Office was very informative. However, when questioned on how their respective governments can assist the Elections Office, Peters said they need to question others in authority in Fiji on the matter.
The Contact Group is currently meeting the National Council for Building a Better Fiji Secretariat.
Earlier today the Forum Ministerial Contact Group met with Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Interim Foreign Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Interim AG, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and according to Peters the meeting went well and some serious issues were discussed.
No statement has been issued by the interim government on the meeting at this stage. The Contact Group is currently meeting with the National Council for Building a Better Fiji Secretariat.
The Contact group consists of Foreign Affairs Minister of Australia, Stephen Smith, his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters, Samoan Prime Minister, Sailele Tuila'epa, the Tongan Prime Minister, Doctor Feleti Sevele and Tuvalu Communications and Tourism Minister, Taukelina Finikaso.
The Contact Group is visiting Fiji to ensure that the country is on track to have elections in March next year as promised by Bainimarama in the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Tonga in October last year.
