Fiji elections reflect "the will of the people": UN observation mission

Having observed the counting process of Fiji's general elections from 3-7 September, the United Nations mission there concluded today that the voting results reflected the will of the Fijian people.

"The next step for Fiji will be the formation of a government in accordance with the nation's constitutional procedures and the results of the election," the UN Fijian Electoral Observation Mission (UNFEOM) said in a statement. "It is the clear intent of the Constitution that the formation of the government should include political parties according to their level of support, reflecting the will of the people as expressed in the election."

The Mission, which received several complaints claiming irregularities during the voting, expresses its concern that voter turnout may have been somewhat influenced by a perception of underlying intimidation. That perception, the Mission says, highlights the need for all parties to allow democratic governance to take root in Fiji.