The Fijian Elections Office will conduct the upcoming elections for the University of the South Pacific Students Association.
The approval was granted by the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed – Khaiyum.
According to a government statement, this follows the Student Association’s request that the Fijian Elections Office carry out their student elections, given the credibility and expertise the Fijian Elections Office demonstrated in conducting the Fiji National University Student Union elections last year.
The Attorney-General said it is important to have credible elections across all levels of Fijian society.
“We are very glad to see that USP’s student leadership is so keen to engage the FEO – an organization that has already received international acclaim for adhering to international best practices in running credible elections. In any democratic society, it is not only elections at the parliamentary level that must be transparent and credible. We must see those same values in elections at every level of society. In our sporting bodies, parent-teacher associations, student unions, trade unions or any organization anywhere in Fiji, we must have elections conducted in a transparent and accountable fashion that preserves public faith in our elected officials. That is how true democratic values and principles are embedded in society. Again, it is wonderful to see the USP Students’ Association show the wisdom to use the professional and impartial services of the FEO,” he said.