13 Jan 2012

Fiji TV investigated over belated text poll win for Bainimarama

5:35 pm on 13 January 2012

Fiji TV says it will fully co-operate with investigations into a contest which only belatedly declared regime leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama as the winner.

The Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says he has reported the company to Fiji's Commerce Commission and Media Development Authority over how the poll was conducted.

The Vodafone promotion involved people being asked to text in who they thought should be newsmaker of the year.

Fiji TV first announced Consumer Council CEO Premila Kumar had received the maximum number of votes but a week later declared Commodore Bainimarama the winner.

Fiji media quote a letter from Vodafone to the Attorney-General saying Fiji TV failed to take into account pro-Bainimarama texts sent in on the last day of the contest.