Fiji again promsies fair elections
Updated
Laisenia Qarase says Frank Bainimarama told him 'no charter, no election'.
Fiji has again promised to hold free and fair democratic elections in March next year, after months of doubt among foreign governments and observers.
The Fiji Times is reporting the pledge was made by Fiji's foreign minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau when he spoke to the Melanesian Spearhead Group foreign ministers from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, in Port Vila today.
Yesterday, Fiji's interim attorney general indicated his country would not meet its promise of elections in March, 2009.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is now quoted as saying, Fiji is committed to holding the ballot and has made significant progress in preparations for the election.
Qarase: Abide by 1997 constitution
Meanwhile, Fiji's deposed prime minister Laisenia Qarase says the interim government should abide by the 1997 constitution for the March elections.
His comments come after the interim government stated publicly that there are certain criteria which each party and candidate must meet, before they can be allowed to contest an election.
Interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama also stated that anyone who does not support the military regime's charter, would be banned from the voting process.
Mr Qarase has told the Pacific Beat program he met Commodore Bainimarama last week and the topics of discussion were to be kept private.
"I had kept it to myself. I did not want to disclose any of the detail at this time cause I was waiting for the next round to see whether we make any progress but he has announced publicly that we discussed the charter and the election and he told me 'no charter, no election'."
