Bainimarama was not serious: A-G
Friday August 17, 2007

Interim PM Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama

Fiji's interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was not serious when he announced that elections will be held in March, 2009.

Speaking to Fijilive this afternoon, Sayed-Khaiyum said that Bainimarama had spoken out of 'context' because of the constant harassment by the media.

"He wasn't serious about it because the media kept on bothering him and you should know that we already have our plans for elections and this will be announced when the time is right," he said.

He said that certain media organisations have developed a habit of calling the Prime Minister on this particular issue even though they have been told so many times.

According to Radio New Zealand Bainimarama had clarified that he was not serious about the elections date released earlier by a local newspaper.

Commodore Bainimarama replied on Wednesday in response to a question by a reporter that the elections would be held at 10am on March 13th, 2009.

Observers of the Fiji situation have said the date is unrealistic because Fiji still lags behind in its agreed commitments to reform the electoral process ahead of any elections.

Subsequent checks also show March 13th, 2009 is a Friday and Fiji has never started elections on a Friday.

Bainimarama said he was tired of the media asking the same question over and over again in relations to the elections dates.