22 Jan 2007

Major electoral reforms will be required before new elections in Fiji - interim attorney general

3:14 pm on 22 January 2007

Fiji's interim administration has indicated that the country will only hold general elections after major electoral reforms have been put in place.

This will include updated and streamlined voting systems, a national census to determine population distribution and new electoral boundaries.

The Fijilive news website reports that the office of the interim attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum, will be working on the reforms.

Mr Sayed-Khayum is also quoted as saying top of the agenda for the administration is to improve Fiji's relations with its neighbours and the international community.

On legal cases that may be brought before the courts arising from the military takeover, he says the position of the interim administration is that events that have taken place since December the 5th are within the confines of common law and the Constitution.

The interim attorney general says the administration will not interfere wit any court order or police investigations or the independence of the DPP's office.

Mr Sayed-Khayum says the interim administration is determined to correct the economic mismanagement of the past six years and lift the appalling state of the economy through sustained growth.

He says the administration will lift up the living standards of the growing numbers of the poor and underprivileged in the country.