Fiji imposed a strict media blackout on Monday on coverage of the South Pacific nation’s first elections since a 2006 military coup, warning journalists face up to five years jail if they do not comply.
The blackout also applies to political campaigning, election material such as posters or banners, as well as discussion of this week’s vote on public forums including social media sites. Fiji’s elections supervisor Mohammed Saneem said the measure was intended to give the electorate a chance to reflect on how to vote in Wednesday’s poll without being bombarded by partisan messages intended to influence their decision.
“The blackout is there to protect the voter from incessant campaigning before polling so that the voter can decide without any influence or undue pressure,” he told reporters.
Campaign workers in Suva were busy removing promotional material before the start of the blackout, which runs from 7:30 am on Monday to the close of polling at 6 pm on Wednesday.