Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's confidence is totally misplaced if she believes that one-day elections in Fiji in September is achievable.
In a statement released by the Fiji Labour Party yesterday, leader Mahendra Chaudhry said one day polling requires massive organisational capacity and resources.
Chaudhry said this is something which the Elections Office will be unable to build in the short time before the polls.
Chaudhry said we are now effectively less than six months from the promised elections, the Elections Office will have to start from scratch to have all preparations in place for the one day polls.
Chaudhry added that what should be noted is that the Office was moth-balled for eight years.
Currently they are still in the process of recruiting key staff to assist in the planning, organisation and management of the elections.
After recruitment, they will have to undergo intensive and specialised training.
Other issue's raised in the statement on why the one day polling cannot be achieved is that a Supervisor of Elections is yet to be appointed.
There is no Electoral Legislation to set out the rules and guidelines for the elections and Polling stations have not been finalized as yet.
Chaudary said there are serious challenges that confront the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
Meanwhile Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop while speaking at a press conference following her recent official visit said while there will be challenges as Fiji will be holding one day elections for the first time, she however believes Fiji is capable.
Story by: Gwen Mc Goon
