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Fiji coup leader Frank Bainimarama faces election Fiji coup leader Frank Bainimarama faces election
(35 minutes later)
Fiji's coup leader and former military ruler Frank Bainimarama will face voters on Wednesday, in the first election since he seized power in 2006. Fiji's coup leader and former military ruler Frank Bainimarama faces voters in the first election since he seized power in 2006.
Some 590,000 registered voters will elect a new 50-seat parliament, choosing from about 250 candidates. Some 590,000 registered voters are electing a 50-seat parliament, choosing from about 250 candidates.
Mr Bainimarama, who stepped down as military chief to contest the polls, is seen as the front-runner. The party of Mr Bainimarama, who quit as military chief to contest the polls, is expected to win the most seats.
The polls will be keenly watched by the international community, which has been urging a return to democracy. The polls are being keenly watched by the international community, which has been urging a return to democracy.
Ahead of the polls Fijian President Epeli Nailatikau cautioned against violence.Ahead of the polls Fijian President Epeli Nailatikau cautioned against violence.
"I urge all political parties and their supporters not to intimidate anyone or engage in any untoward activity," he said."I urge all political parties and their supporters not to intimidate anyone or engage in any untoward activity," he said.
"We must all accept the will of the people and unify as a nation.""We must all accept the will of the people and unify as a nation."
'Climate of fear''Climate of fear'
Fiji experienced four coups between 1987 and 2006.Fiji experienced four coups between 1987 and 2006.
Mr Bainimarama has ruled Fiji since ousting elected leader Laisenia Qarase in the most recent of them.Mr Bainimarama has ruled Fiji since ousting elected leader Laisenia Qarase in the most recent of them.
He says he wants to end tensions between indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians at the heart of the political unrest.He says he wants to end tensions between indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians at the heart of the political unrest.
To that end he has reformed the electoral process, ending the race-based communal voting system.To that end he has reformed the electoral process, ending the race-based communal voting system.
But in the last eight years he has also ruled with an iron grip, clamping down on free speech, compromising the judiciary and imposing media censorship.But in the last eight years he has also ruled with an iron grip, clamping down on free speech, compromising the judiciary and imposing media censorship.
In a recent report, rights group Amnesty International accused him of creating a "climate of fear" in Fiji through his use of draconian laws, and intimidation and harassment of government critics.In a recent report, rights group Amnesty International accused him of creating a "climate of fear" in Fiji through his use of draconian laws, and intimidation and harassment of government critics.
Mr Bainimarama's FijiFirst party is one of seven parties contesting the polls.Mr Bainimarama's FijiFirst party is one of seven parties contesting the polls.
The Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa), led by indigenous Fijians, is seen as FijiFirst's closest rival.The Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa), led by indigenous Fijians, is seen as FijiFirst's closest rival.