33 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Engaging with Media The Commission monitored a total of 87 polling venues in these locations. Commissioner Nicole Daniels with Director at a polling venue in Pacific Harbour. This consisted of 19 polling venues in Northern division (Labasa, Seaqaqa & Dreketi - Macuata & Bua), 47 polling venues in Western division (Nadroga, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua & Rakiraki) and 21 polling venues in Central division (Navua, Suva, Nasinu, Nausori and Tailevu). This exercise was in line with the Commission’s mandate to monitor observance of human rights standards during the electoral process. The Commission received no major complaints in relation to violation of the constitutional right to vote. Engaging with the Multinational Observer Group (the MOG) Director briefs the Multinational Observer Group at a polling venue in Tailevu The Director also held discussions with the Multinational Observer Group (the MOG) on observance of human rights standards during general elections. The MOG is a group of countries and international organisations invited by the Fijian Government to observe the 2018 Fijian General Election with key responsibility to assess whether Fijian voters were able to exercise their vote freely and whether the outcome of the election broadly represented the will of Fijian voters. The Commission team caught up with His Excellency Major-General (Ret'd) Jioji Konusi Konrote at a polling venue in Veiuto on the Election Day Commission Director Ashwin Raj and Supervisor of Elections, Mr. Mohammed Saneem holding a joint press conference. A democratic election is impossible without media.The Commission vigorously used the mainstream media to reach out to the public and to appraise freedom to campaign in the pre-electoral phase, keeping a tab on hate speech and intolerance on the grounds of race and religion. The Commission made calls to the voters on the Election Day on the importance of voting, encouraging them to cast their vote. The Director held a number of joint-press conferences with the Supervisor of Elections both during prepoll phase, at the closing of polling stations and on the announcement of the final results, sending sound messages to the voters, political parties and candidates on their rights and responsibilities during the poll. Director also appeared on live radio and television shows on the Election Day and in the post-electoral phase to reflect on the election process, campaigns, and political debates and to express concern on social media mania which sparked racial and religious vilification. An advertisement was also put out in the mainstream media, following the announcement of the outcome of the 2018 General Election, urging Fijians to report without fear any incidence of violence including racial and religious attacks either on the social media, in their communities or on the streets to the Commission. The media coverage is summarised in the table, below. FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION the polling venues located in urban, rural and remote areas, monitoring compliance of human rights standards.