New Zealand is going to focus on ensuring that the principles of democracy continue to be respected in Fijian elections, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas
Fiji Opposition talks fair elections with NZ PM
During her visit to Fiji last week, Ms Ardern said her government would send observers to Fiji at its next general election as it did in 2018.
It was 2016 when a New Zealand prime minister last visited Fiji. John Key's visit followed a decade of strained relations following Frank Bainimarama's military coup.
During Ms Ardern's visit, she met members of the Opposition. She later told journalists discussions with the Opposition parties included elections.
"New Zealand was involved, was here monitoring the last 2018 election, and we see our role with supporting democracy through things like the Electoral Commission and through observers," she said.
"And if indeed we're invited to be a part of that again, we will. It is in our interest to see the strengthening of those institutions here in Fiji."
Sodelpa MP and former Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa was among those who met Ms Ardern in Suva.
Ro Teimumu said they highlighted their concerns with the government's plan to make voters re-register for the next election.
"Now, it's going to make it very difficult for people, especially those in the rural remote and maritime islands, where they have to come in to get a birth certificate to be able to enrol to be able to get a voter card," she said.
"That is going to make it difficult. In the previous elections, 27 percent of the people that were registered to vote did not vote."
Fiji's Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa. Photo: RNZI / Sally Round
Ro Teimumu warned the number of non-registered voters would increase as a result of the government's plan.
National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad agreed with his Opposition colleague.
The 2014 and 2018 elections were "not held in a free and fair environment", he said.
"We pointed out some of the issues, particularly the 2014 election, which talked about changes in the legislation and the requirement for government to address some of those issues so that we can have a free and fair election," he said.
"Unfortunately, many of those recommendations were never implemented and we are concerned about going with the same structure and the same processes to 2022 general election."
New Zealand had always stood with Fiji during its time of difficulties and he urged Ms Ardern to encourage the Fiji government to act on the recommendations, Mr Prasad said.
The deputy leader of the opposition in Fiji and NFP president Biman Prasad. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
"New Zealand has had very strong views about the loss of democracy in Fiji - not only in 2006 but also from 1987," he said.
"The Fiji government must understand that it cannot talk about good relations with countries that value genuine democracy, human rights, freedom, freedom of association, the trade unions etc and when we have a lot of issues to address ourselves."
Ms Ardern said Fiji's 2018 election was a step in the right direction.
"[Fiji] are looking to 2022 and again making sure that those principles of democracy are just continuing to be embedded with every election that they have," she said.
"I'm going to focus on the evidence. The last election in 2018 was a credible election - that it was a democracy, a democracy in action.
"It was a hotly contested election and a close one."
Ms Ardern said maintaining a good relationship on both sides of the political spectrum in Fiji was important for New Zealand.
Mr Bainimarama has yet to respond to a request for comment from RNZ Pacific.