FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 32 of minimum human rights standards during the election, compliance with the Electoral Act and on the role of the media. A brochure was produced and jointly launched by the Commission and the Fijian Elections Office to educate voters, aspiring politicians and political parties on features of a free and fair elections and observance of minimum human rights standards during elections. The Commission also monitored the pre-election preparations and campaign period, keeping a close eye on hate speech, statements related to racial and religious vilification and dissemination of information particularly on social media platforms which could have marred the integrity of the election process. The Director of the Commission, Mr. Ashwin Raj collaborated with the Fijian Elections Office in the pre-electoral and post-electoral phases, held joint press conferences on crucial issue such as racial and religious vilification, hate speech on social media, blackout period, dissemination of fake news and right to vote. The two institutions also held discussions with civil society organisations on electoral process which was facilitated by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). Monitoring Polling Venues The Director led the Commission team (staff and Commissioner Nicole Daniels) to monitor polling venues and the election process on the Election Day. The team was deployed in the Central, Western and Northern divisions on the Election Day, to observe Some observations noted during monitoring exercise include: • Accessibility - accessing polling venue was challenging for some elderly and persons with disability in some areas due to harsh weather condition on Election Day • Voter registration confusion – some voters found they were registered in another location • Police presence was high at all polling venues providing safety and security to voters as well as the Election officials • Poor lighting inside some polling venues • Some voters were confused with numbers on ballot paper and suggested there should be pictures of the candidates • Adequate seats provided to the voters to wait around due to bad weather • Election officials were generally applauded for their professionalism