To have elections next year will be an unrealistic expectation.
This is what Supervisor of Elections Felicity Heffernan said in response to questions on whether Fiji will be ready to have elections within the next twelve to fifteen months.
Heffernan said it's easy for people to set an election date, but there's so much preparation work to be done before the election, which their office is just not capable of delivering now.
Heffernan said if they are given more time to prepare then they can save alot in costs.
Heffernan said their work will start after the consultations on the Draft People's Charter is completed and the electoral system is decided.
Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry said while he agrees that the political leaders should not come with demands to the meeting with the Interim Prime Minister on Monday, a definite timeframe for elections needs to be set.
Chaudhry said it is only reasonable that people talk openly about returning to democratic rule.
Chaudhry also said urgent action needs to be taken as our economy and international relations are being affected.
Former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has agreed that the timeframe to hold elections by March 2009 is now unrealistic.
As the Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama continues to call on political party leaders and the international community to accept the fact that elections will not be held in March next year, Qarase said elections can still be held by mid 2009.
Commodore Bainimarama earlier told Fijivillage news that Qarase should stop talking about the elections in March 2009. He said if Qarase wants to talk about that issue, then he should not attend Monday's meeting at the parliament complex.
