NZ visit sign Bainimaramas worried - activist Frank Bainimaramas first trip to New Zealand in eight years could be a sign hes worried about the upcoming Fijian election, a democracy activist says. Fijis self-appointed prime minister jets into Auckland on Friday to campaign local Fijians ahead of his countrys first elections since he came to power in a 2006 military coup. But the leader of New Zealand-based group Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, Nikhil Naidu, questions the rationale of Mr Bainimaramas trip and says it could be a sign someone else may win the election. Polls conducted by government-controlled media have put support for him at 90 percent, Mr Naidu told NZ Newswire. If hes got 90 percent support, why bother with the 1000 voters that exist in New Zealand when youve got 600,000 registered voters? I dont think the votes are significant for him unless hes worried, or unless he just wants a holiday. And Mr Naidu doesnt buy the idea Mr Bainimarama is looking for donors as his party has the states resources at its disposal. Theres a risk of ridicule in coming here. Theres going to be protests. Hes not used to that. Hes going to have people heckling him in his speech. A protest is planned to coincide with Mr Bainimaramas talk at Manukaus Vodafone Events Centre on Saturday - and posters advertising the protest label the leader a dictator. Mr Naidu wont be protesting - hes trying to strike the balance between encouraging democracy and making it clear to Mr Bainimarama that he condemns the human rights abuses going on in Fiji. You dont want to upset him too much because you do want him to hold this election. But at the same time you do need to make it clear to him that youre not happy with what hes been doing and continuing to do. But Mr Naidu isnt holding out hope this election will be fair - and says theres already censorship and restrictions preventing true democracy. Its like lotto - your chance of winning is very very slim, but if you dont play youre not going to win. The National Federation Party and the Soqosoqo party - which Mr Bainimarama overthrew - have also been in the country campaigning ahead of the September 17 election.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 04:02:48 +0000
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