
In response to questions from the Fiji Sun on the matter of a soft copy of the rolls Mr Young said quote: “That has to be taken up - with the legislation that’s already set in place and my understanding from the legal people in the Solicitor General’s office – there is no specific provision that entitles them to a soft copy. “I can’t take it any further than that. If the political parties think I have a magic wand and give it to them – I’m not in a position to do that. I work within the framework of what we have and I think that is what the legislation says,” Mr Young said
The United Front for a Democratic Fiji (UFDF) says in less than 8 weeks since it was formed the Electoral Commission is showing ‘signs’ of its imminent capitulation to the authority of the Regime if it has not already done so.
The UFDF says the comments attributed to Electoral Commission Chairman Young if reported correctly by the Fiji Sun saying there are ‘no provisions’ to give political parties a ‘soft copy’ of the rolls so there’s nothing he can do about it and that he will work within the current framework? Is a lackluster response to what should be a ‘non issue?’
The UFDF said it is obvious that Mr Young has no wand let alone a ‘magic’ one? But the UFDF says one does not need to be a ‘toothless fairy’ in need of a ‘magic wand’ to apply common sense to the matter and if there is no provision to ‘allow’ the distribution of a soft copy to political parties then there is also no reason ‘not to allow’ its distribution either?
The UFDF said providing a ‘Soft Copy’ of the ‘Hard copy’ of the rolls that political parties have already received is almost a ‘standard provision’ in terms of documentation exchange in today’s digital environment and a USB with the capacity to hold the data is less than $50 so withholding it is simply being ‘mean spirited & antagonistic’ towards the registered political parties and not the kind of behavior that suggests there is any fairness, freedom of information or transparency 6 months out from the elections.
The UFDF says the Commission Chairman’s announcement that he quote ‘can’t take it further’ is nothing more than a ‘cop out’ and dereliction of his duty and responsibility to the people of Fiji. The UFDF says that the Chairman and Commission must insist on allowing the distribution of a soft copy to all registered political parties as part of the hard copies they have already received and if that requires an amendment to the decree to get it done correctly, then the Commission must insist on the appropriate amendments being done and get on with it.
To do ‘nothing’ about something that is clearly unfair is tantamount to declaring the Commission will operate as another department under the control of the Attorney General and thus his direct influence and all the integrity and credibility that each member bought to the Commission which is what the people of Fiji are pinning their hopes on for a ‘Free. Fair and Transparent election will amount to nothing!
‘The world is a dangerous place, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it’………Albert Einstein."
The United Front for a Democratic Fiji (UFDF) says in less than 8 weeks since it was formed the Electoral Commission is showing ‘signs’ of its imminent capitulation to the authority of the Regime if it has not already done so.
The UFDF says the comments attributed to Electoral Commission Chairman Young if reported correctly by the Fiji Sun saying there are ‘no provisions’ to give political parties a ‘soft copy’ of the rolls so there’s nothing he can do about it and that he will work within the current framework? Is a lackluster response to what should be a ‘non issue?’
The UFDF said it is obvious that Mr Young has no wand let alone a ‘magic’ one? But the UFDF says one does not need to be a ‘toothless fairy’ in need of a ‘magic wand’ to apply common sense to the matter and if there is no provision to ‘allow’ the distribution of a soft copy to political parties then there is also no reason ‘not to allow’ its distribution either?
The UFDF said providing a ‘Soft Copy’ of the ‘Hard copy’ of the rolls that political parties have already received is almost a ‘standard provision’ in terms of documentation exchange in today’s digital environment and a USB with the capacity to hold the data is less than $50 so withholding it is simply being ‘mean spirited & antagonistic’ towards the registered political parties and not the kind of behavior that suggests there is any fairness, freedom of information or transparency 6 months out from the elections.
The UFDF says the Commission Chairman’s announcement that he quote ‘can’t take it further’ is nothing more than a ‘cop out’ and dereliction of his duty and responsibility to the people of Fiji. The UFDF says that the Chairman and Commission must insist on allowing the distribution of a soft copy to all registered political parties as part of the hard copies they have already received and if that requires an amendment to the decree to get it done correctly, then the Commission must insist on the appropriate amendments being done and get on with it.
To do ‘nothing’ about something that is clearly unfair is tantamount to declaring the Commission will operate as another department under the control of the Attorney General and thus his direct influence and all the integrity and credibility that each member bought to the Commission which is what the people of Fiji are pinning their hopes on for a ‘Free. Fair and Transparent election will amount to nothing!
‘The world is a dangerous place, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it’………Albert Einstein."