By Xinhua
Wellington : Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has said the country would hold general elections in March 2009 provided the People’s Charter, laying down the principles of the island’s governance, is in place.
Bainimarama, who is also the country’s military chief, said the country would return to democratic rule, the Suva-based PACNEWS news agency reported Friday.
The People’s Charter for Change and Progress, a brainchild of Bainimarama, is a proposed legal document, which seeks to complement Fiji’s constitution by laying down principles of governance representing all sections of the people and ensuring racial harmony.
It is expected to come into force before the scheduled elections.
Commenting on the remarks of Glyn Davies, US deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs, that the US cannot see a concrete timetable for the next elections, Bainimarama said the observations were “naive and insulting”.
“It is insulting to continue to answer that the elections will be held in March 2009,” he said.
“It will be naive to think that election on its own will solve anything,” he added.