Filimoni Vosarogo Explains How Foreign-Funded Groups Can Take Part in Campaign Activities

Fiji’s Justice Minister Filimoni Vosarogo has defended changes to the Electoral Act, saying people and organisations receiving foreign funding may take part in campaign-related activities if they follow rules set by the Electoral Commission. Speaking to fijivillage News, Vosarogo said the amendment to section 115 was intended to remove a blanket ban while keeping oversight of foreign-funded activities. The Electoral Act change was passed in Parliament last Friday under Standing Order 51, after debate on the same day and without further public consultation. According to Vosarogo, the Supervisor of Elections can order a person or group to change or stop an activity if it does not comply with the Commission’s rules. Anyone given such a direction may appeal to the Electoral Commission, whose decision is final. He said that appeal process is consistent with other provisions governing orders from the Supervisor. Vosarogo also said the timeframe covered by section 115 was changed to match the period during which other campaign activity is regulated. The date of an election is set at the Prime Minister’s discretion and may be announced months ahead of polling, he noted. He distinguished campaign-related activities from voter education. Under section 115(2), community groups still need written authorisation from the Electoral Commission or Supervisor of Elections to conduct voter education, and Vosarogo said that requirement applies at all times and was not changed. The minister said rules have been issued and are being prepared for publication on the Commission’s website. They provide for foreign-funded people and entities to apply to the Supervisor for approval, with the option of appealing a decision. The Centre for Democracy and Dialogue had urged the Government to reconsider the amendments, warning that they could affect civil society organisations for more than eight months before the next general election. Vosarogo’s comments set out the Government’s position on how the revised rules are intended to work.