Fiji's election authorities have so far rejected six candidates proposed for next month's election but parties had until midday today to submit replacement nominees.
A woman votes in the Fiji elections. Photo: RNZ / Philippa Tolley
By the end of last week the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) had processed 178 candidates representing four political parties.
Those rejected had failed to meet the requirements of the Electoral Act, according to the FEO.
The FijiFirst Party, the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) and the National Federation Party (NFP) all presented a full line-up for the 51 parliamentary seats and each had one candidate rejected.
Three Labour party (FLP) nominees out of the party's 25 were rejected because they had criminal convictions, according to the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem.
The FijiFirst and NFP nominees were rejected because they had failed to meet the requirement of being "present in the country for 18 months out of the 24 months immediately preceding the writ of elections date", he said.
The SODELPA nominee was rejected because of "non-confirmation of his citizenship status".
The parties have until midday to make replacement nominations or they can file an appeal by tomorrow.
Photo: RNZ
"The Fijian Elections Office will not accept any further nominations after midday," Mr Saneem said.
"If we have not made a decision by midday they will not be able to replace a candidate if we do not approve any of the candidates that are filed with us," he said.
Fiji has eight registered political parties.
Unity Fiji and HOPE are expected to submit their nominees today, while the People's Democratic Party is not contesting this year's election.
The Freedom Alliance Party has teamed up with Labour to contest the 14 November polls under the FLP's banner.