Fiji transitions to democracy

[idiom]

Dictator cedes control of his own accord.

Dictator moves country right, massively increases liberty.

Peaceful non-racist elections take place.

World Media doesn't notice because good things must not happen in non demicratic countries.

[CaseyJones]

will they have property taxes now?

[mad cow]

Ron Paul drinks Fiji water.

[dannno]

Are they still going to shoot pot smokers on the beach??

[idiom]

Are they still going to shoot pot smokers on the beach??

Dunno. that what elections are for.

Kava is more than legal though.

[Zippyjuan]

The Fiji ballot: You have to know the number, not the name or party, of your candidate. There are 250 candidates to choose from to fill a 50 seat parliament.



http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29203147

The current dictator is the favorite to win.

Mr Bainimarama's FijiFirst is likely to win the highest number of votes. Whether it will be able to form a majority in parliament is unclear.

The Social Democratic Liberal Party, or Sodelpa, is seen as second in terms of public support, but would likely have to form a coalition.

Sodelpa, a reincarnation of the SDL party which had a majority in the 2006 election led by Mr Qarase, is now led by Ro Teimumu Kepa. Its members are mainly indigenous Fijians.

Other parties that qualified to contest the election include the Fiji Labour Party and the People's Democratic Party.

The government has imposed tough minimum requirements on opposition parties, such as having a minimum of 5,000 paid members.

Some candidates involved in politics before the 2006 coup who have spent time outside the country are unable to participate because of residency requirements. The government has also limited campaigning for parties receiving funds from outside Fiji.

Former leaders Mahendra Chaudry and Laisenia Qarase are unable to run because of judicial proceedings. Critics have also argued that Mr Bainimarama enjoys unmatched prominence because there is currently no formal political opposition.

Press freedom has also been severely curtailed since the 2006 coup. Amnesty International said it had found "a climate of self-censorship and fear in Fiji, brought about by draconian laws and a pattern of intimidation and harassment of government critics".

All this means that the vote may be free but might not be called fair.

Dr Firth, of the ANU, describes the poll as "an election that's been held by [a] military leader with a full expectation that he will win it".

But in order for Fiji to truly be on a path to democracy after the vote, observers say the government needs to implement some changes.

Although official censorship of media outlets ended in 2012, journalists face harsh penalties for being critical of the government. This has led to self censorship.

There has also been interference by the government in the appointment and dismissal of judges and lawyers.

In 2013, the government burned copies of a new constitution that had been written by Fijian and international experts. A replacement constitution enacted by the government ensures the military has a significant role in the country going forward.

Mr Firth says there are questions around whether Mr Bainimarama, who is used to ruling by decree, will be able to adapt to the compromises of a parliamentary democracy if he is voted in.

"Even if the election is relatively free and fair, it will not put Fiji back on a solid path to democracy. The 2006 coup has had a deep impact on Fiji governance and society," said Jenny Hayward-Jones in a policy paper for the Lowy Institute for International Policy.

She argues that "the fundamentals and the institutions of democracy have suffered in Fiji".

On the plus side:

Fiji has seen four coups since 1987 mostly driven by tensions between indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians, who make up about 40% of the population.

Mr Bainimarama has said he wants to end the coup cycle by easing these tensions.

This will be the first election in Fiji in which seats and the electoral register will be organised without regard to race. The new constitution drawn up under Mr Bainimarama gives ethnic Indians the same status as indigenous Fijians.

"[Mr Bainimarama] wants to take Fiji away from it's obsession with race politics. Under him everyone is a Fijian," said Stewart Firth, research fellow, state society and governance in Melanesia, at the Australian National University (ANU).

[ZENemy]

But in order for Fiji to truly be on a path to democracy after the vote, observers say the government needs to implement some changes.

LOL

[nobody's_hero]

The Fiji ballot: You have to know the number, not the name or party, of your candidate. There are 250 candidates to choose from to fill a 50 seat parliament.

That's actually kind of interesting. It would keep the political retards from showing up at the polls to vote like lemmings along party lines.

[Zippyjuan]

Unless they came in with a list of the numbers they wanted to vote for, some may randomly mark different boxes. That could allow all kinds of people to get elected regardless of their qualifications or positions. You might intend to vote for Rand Paul and get Mitt Romney or Hillary Clinton by mistake if you got the number wrong. Could give new meaning to "accidental candidate".

[nobody's_hero]

Unless they came in with a list of the numbers they wanted to vote for, some may randomly mark different boxes. That could allow all kinds of people to get elected regardless of their qualifications or positions. You might intend to vote for Rand Paul and get Mitt Romney or Hillary Clinton by mistake if you got the number wrong. Could give new meaning to "accidental candidate".

Well, when you put it that way . . . nah, it still sounds really interesting. I'm all for it. You could also intend to vote for Hillary or Romney and get Rand Paul by mistake.

Most American voters probably don't spend more than 30 minutes thinking about who they will vote for, before they walk into the ballot box and do the damage. Fiji's example actually requires a large amount of effort on the part of the voter.

[Zippyjuan]

I would have my people handing out lists of numbers as close as allowed to the polling places.