Brussels, 18/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday evening, the European Union hailed the way in which the general election took place that day in Fiji and the civic awareness displayed by voters reflected by their high voter turnout in this first democratic election since the military coup in December 2006.
A European External Action Service (EEAS) press release emphasised: “We welcome the peaceful conduct of the elections and the high turnout, including among young people, many of whom were voting for the first time”. The EU is encouraging the authorities to administer the election process in “full transparency” and provides assurances of its commitment to “working closely with the elected government to support the consolidation of democracy in the country”. According to unconfirmed results, Voreqe Bainimarama, responsible for the military coup in 2006, has won the election. (AN)