The Coalition has been eviscerated by Fiji’s only independent think tank, Dialogue Fiji, for suggesting that the electoral laws can be changed after the official campaign period for the coming election has already begun.
The points it makes are entirely valid. Sitiveni Rabuka has had close to four years to reform the electoral system and as with everything else, the terminal dysfunction that has come to characterise the Coalition means it has been left until the last moment.
It is simply too late. The race to the election has already started and as Dialogue Fiji rightly points out, it would violate every democratic principle for the rules to now change before election day.
The Coalition has had its chance and blew it. Though as Grubsheet has long reported, we never really believed that Rolex Rambo himself wanted the system changed. Because as the last “big man” standing, d’Hondt suits him personally just fine. Which may well be why he has simply let the clock run out.
They don’t call him the “Snake” for nothing. Master of the slither.
———————
A pointed letter to the Chair of the Electoral Commission, Justice Usaia Ratuvili, from Dialogue Fiji’s Executive Director, Nilesh Lal.
And now, I’m finally off. No, really.
Within hours, Grubsheet will be sedated – a blessed relief for me under the circumstances and doubtless my critics too.
Vinaka vakalevu to those readers who have posted best wishes. Your messages are much appreciated.
When the starter pistol went on this government rather than run straight and true, we saw tax holidays and pay rises. A total collapse in good governance. A race to the bottom.