NZ gives voting booths

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Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem, right, speaks to the media as Electoral Commission of Fiji chairman Suresh Chandra (middle) and New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr look on during the signing of the MOU and handing over of cardboard voting booths at the Fijian Elections Office in Suva yesterday. Picture: SOPHIE RALULU

“The importance of the secret ballot to all democracies cannot be overstated.”

This was the comment made by the New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Curr during the handing over of 2000 boxes of cardboard voting booths from the NZ government and the NZ Electoral Commission to the Electoral Commission of Fiji yesterday.

“We are very pleased that New Zealand has been able to make such a tangible and practical contribution to the holding of next year’s election,” he said.

Electoral Commission of Fiji chairman Suresh Chandra said the cardboard voting screens were a classic example of innovation in elections.

He acknowledged the New Zealand government and the people for the support provided towards the 2022 General Election.

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said the voting compartments, made of cardboard, would now be named cardboard voting booths to avoid confusion, as using “screen” might lead to people thinking it was technology or an electronic screen.

“All the cartons that we have received are covered with a plastic wrap so that if we have to carry these to other locations in the weather, the compartments will not be damaged or will be minimally damaged,” he said.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was also signed between the New Zealand Electoral Commission and the Electoral Commission of Fiji, the NZ Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office.

Mr Chandra said the signing marked an auspicious day as they strengthened the partnership between their agencies with the extension of the memorandum of understanding.

“Just like the 2018 General Election, we want the 2022 General Election to be a platform for Fijians to express their will with confidence, security and freedom. Heading into the polls, the Electoral Commission is committed to ensuring that this sentiment of the Commission is translated into action.

“Following the continued support from our counterparts in New Zealand and the NZ High Commission in Fiji, we are certain that this contribution will greatly allow the realisation of our goals.”

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