A former employee of the Fiji government in Canada has presented a proposal to the British Columbia government to assist Fiji in the upcoming elections.

Former Business Development Manager and Representative of the High Commissions Ashwant Dwivedi told Radio Fiji News he has made a presentation at the Provincial Government level.

Dwivedi has called on the interim government to make a proposal to the Canadian federal government in April.

“There is a proposal that I presented to the Attorney General to possibly the British Columbia can assist Fiji in the upcoming general elections.

Speaking to Radio Fiji News, Chaudhry says the work required before the actual conduct of polls is already behind schedule and much more work remains to be done.

“Whether this can be satisfied in the remaining months to March 2009 is a matter which the Electoral Commission would be best qualified to pronounce.

“I can at this stage say that it is going to be a sternest task to achieve the deadline. We have fallen behind and if we can catch up, it would be good,” he said.

Chaudhry says the preparations for the elections must take on board data from the Census, which is not yet fully available – a contributing factor and the boundary review exercise.

“Then we have to go through with the procedures, which have to be observed in relation to boundaries that require the Boundaries Commission to first determine provincial boundaries, declare and then invite submissions.

“After these submissions have been considered and then determine the final boundaries and declare them and then begins the process of voter registration, compilation of voter roles.

“And then the public on the final rolls and then of course other elections and nominations and so forth,” he said.

Former Elections Supervisor Semesa Karavaki earlier this month had said it was unrealistic to expect an election in the first quarter of next year because of the amount of work required before the actual conduct of polling.

Meanwhile, Commission chairman Rishi Ram had earlier stated that the actual appointment of an Elections Supervisor would be made this end of this month.

But this has now been delayed as the PM’s office has yet to appoint two more members for the Constitutional Offices Commission.

Ram says his office is aware that the two other members will be appointed in February.