 |
 |
 |
  |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mr Semesa Karavaki, Supervisor of Elections OPENING ADDRESS FOR THE TRAINING OF TRAINERS RAFFLES TRADEWINDS – 27TH MARCH, 2006 Today we are exactly 40 days away from the start of poll. Today is also the day, the election timetable starts rolling from. Article 60 (2) of the Constitution Amendment Act, 1997 states that the writs of the general elections is to be issued within 7 days from the proclamation of the dissolution of parliament. The writs of elections are going to be issued tomorrow, 28th of March, 2006. While these days are important in the elections process, to you, the most important period is the polling period and the counting. It is so because success in the deliverance of the electoral service during these periods is up to you. If you are unable to absorb the teachings that will be delivered during the 3 days of this training programme, then it is apparent that you would not be able to educate the elections officials of their respective roles. You have been chosen from amongst many civil servants to come to this training programme because of your proven abilities in the field of training. In the history of our electoral process, this type of training happens once in every five years. It only happens when we approach general elections. This general election in many ways different from the past general elections. The local and international scrutiny for this general election will be intensive and therefore demand dedication and commitment from all of us that are involved in this general election. This is not a money making exercise and we must remember that the international community is watching us with great interest. Many have already started their campaign with the purpose of sabotaging the general elections preparation and desired to coerce voters against their independence to make their own choice. The freedom of individuals to make their own independent decision is entrenched in the constitution and Electoral Act and must be respected. This freedom must be respected and the electoral service must be seen to preserve it without compromise. The instruction you are going to give to the election officials should not be of superficial character. You must fully embrace the lessons you are going to be taught and ensure you defend the principles of free and fair elections by observing your standing and to raise the standard of electoral service. There is no greater dis-service to the electoral process than to be here with no desire to give your full commitment towards the success of this year’s general elections. Remember to uphold the principles of free and fair elections. They are to be cornerstones of your role as trainers for this year’s general elections. Principles of Free and Fair Elections : a) INDEPENDENCE : The Office of the Supervisor of Elections (OSE) will ensure that it performs its functions on the basis of sound judgment, free from undue interference or control by any person. b) RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW : Staff of the OSE will faithfully observe the laws relating to elections as well as other laws of Fiji. c) TRANSPARENCY : The OSE will be easily accessible and open at all times in dealing with stakeholders in the electoral process. d) RESPECT FOR RIGHTS : The OSE will respec the rights and equality of all voters, without regard to ethnic affiliation, gender or disability. e) NEUTRALITY: The OSE will always be non-partisan and fair in all its programmes and activities. f) INTEGRITY : The OSE will carry out its business in an honest and truthful manner, without favouritism to party or cause. g) ACCOUNTABILITY : The OSE will take full responsibility for its actions and will always be answerable to its partners and the people of Fiji. h) PROFESSIONALISM : The OSE will endeavour to have well-trained and highly dedicated staff, cable of delivering quality electoral services to the people of Fiji. You are to remember that by being here, you are accountable only to the Supervisor of Elections and not your CEO. As you may know that the Supervisor of Elections is responsible for the administration and conduct of the parliamentary elections in Fiji. When you are conducting training for the election officials, you are doing it on behalf of the Supervisor of Elections. Your success and your failure would be that of the Supervisor of Elections. Many of the complaints made during the conduct of the parliamentary elections are due to lack of knowledge and confusion of the election officials. This state of mind emanates from poor training methods and uncommitted trainers. You are encouraged to ensure that you overcome these deficiencies and strive for high achievement. Together, we must rise above obscurities and strive for universal acceptance when we participate in the training of election officials. We owe this to the people of Fiji. You will be learning the electoral procedures that are now contained in the manuals that have been developed through the coordinating role of the Training Unit of the Office of the Supervisor of Elections. The Unit is under the adminstration of Mrs Ilisapeci Natau. The Training Unit will be assisted by our good friends from the Australian Electoral Commission. Brian and Robin are among us this morning and we will be joined by 3 other trainers from the AEC soon. With those few words, I wish you well in your training and I declare the training of trainers workshop for the 2006 General Elections open. -End- |
|
|
 |
     |
