Bula
We hope your weekend turned out the way you expected it to.
Here are some headlines in The Fiji Times’ Monday edition – March 22.
NEWS:
The big one is on:
Proposed Bill
Under the proposed Bill Number 50 of 2020, the Supervisor of Elections and the Electoral Commission have powers to fine and jail persons publishing materials undermining public confidence on his duty and function. Those found guilty of this offence could be fined $50,000 or serve a jail term of five years or serve both penalties under the proposed Bill.
The second story is on:
Electoral Amendment Act
The independence and transparency of electoral procedures had been widely questioned during the Electoral Amendment Act submissions in Wailotua, Wainibuka last week. While submitting to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, the former presiding officer at the area’s polling centre, Biu Solia revealed the vote count she recorded at the centre during the last elections were inconsistent with those announced at the National Polling Centre.
More on Page 3:
Supervisor of Elections
The Supervisor of Elections will have the powers to order the removal of any materials that he thinks is in breach of campaign rules, states a proposed law that is now before the parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights.
Votes cast
More than 170,000 people did not cast their vote in the last elections, said parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights chairman Alvick Maharaj. For this reason, Wailotua villager in Wainibuka, Sanaila Rasautale said it was important that Government extend the polling day to two or three days to enable the people of Fiji to cast their vote.
Electoral Act
Provisions in the Electoral Act demanding politicians to declare their assets and other financial status is nothing short of belittlement and public shaming, says a Wailotu villager in Wainibuka. Presenting his submissions to the parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights on Tuesday, Osea Vutikalulu said there were those that did not have money but had leadership abilities.
Voting boxes
Villager, Peni Taucake said the voting boxes needed to be escorted by presiding officers, party agents and police officers to ensure that they were not tampered with. Mr Taucake said having civil servants escort the boxes was a conflict of interest as they had the best interest of their employers.
Constituency Electoral System
Villager, Etonia Tamani asked the committee for the constituency electoral system to be reinstated as constituents representatives were well versed with the issues that affected their people. Mr Tamani said it was hard to consult the current representatives to parliament with issues that affected people in rural areas because ministers did not understand the problems they were faced with.
EDITORIAL & LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
PEOPLE:
Traditional fishing
Semi Suveinakama grew up in Waiqanake Village, Suvavou, just outside the Capital City, Suva, home to people who make a living fishing at the Suva Harbour and traditional fishing spots further away. He is turaga ni mataqali and a turaganikoro in Waiqanake.
POINT OF ORIGIN:
Yee Wah Sing
Yee Wah Sing remembers a very different Fiji to the country that exists today. Born and bred in Lautoka in the late ’50s, the now 64-year-old has lived in Veisari before settling in Lomaivuna. Mr Yee said his father used to work at a laundry in Suva whose core business was washing the uniforms of American soldiers stationed in Fiji during the latter part of World War II.
SPORTS:
Digicel Premier League
Suva lucky charm Shahil Dave scored his first yet, most important goal of the season to secure a 1-0 win over Navua during their Digicel Premier League clash at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.
There’s much more to read inside. Get a copy to know what we are talking about. Happy reading!
