There's confusion in Fiji over the exact numbers of entries for the new Fiji flag competition.
The flag change was announced earlier this year by the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who said Fiji would remove the Union Jack and replace it with a design that symbolises the Pacific nation, not former colonial power Britain.
A billboard outside Vatuwaqa Primary School, authorised by the Fiji Government. Photo: Supplied
The Fiji government announced it received 1,430 individual entries in the competition to design a new Fiji flag, entries closed on Friday afternoon.
The Chairman of the National Flag Committee, Iliesa Delana. Photo: Fiji government
The Chairman of the National Flag Committee, the assistant Minister for Sport, Iliesa Delana, says the task of sifting through the entries will begin shortly.
But the Fiji SODELPA youth council says it handed in 7000 reproductions of the Fiji flag to the Fiji flag Committee on Friday, and found today that all 7000 reproductions have not been counted.
The party says it's a violation against its Human Rights when a government refuses to respect the council's exercise of expression, and willingness to participate in this democracy
The party has called on Frank Bainimarama to answer why the 7000 designs were not counted, and also why Mr Bainimarama has refused to hold a referendum on the flag when there is clearly a strong desire to have one.
It says Mr Bainimarama is no longer acting like the Democratic Leader he paints himself to be, and is instead working to divide Fiji.
