Wellington - The Pacific island state of Fiji, which has been ruled by the army since a bloodless coup 18 months ago, is unlikely to hold fresh elections next March as military strongman Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama promised earlier, according to reports from the capital Suva on Wednesday.
Bainimarama, who has appointed himself prime minister, told soldiers on Tuesday that elections would not be held until the electoral system had been reformed and all corruption in the country eradicated, the independent Fijilive website reported.

He ousted the former elected government of Laisenia Qarase in December 2006, accusing it of being corrupt and inciting racial tension by favouring indigenous Fijians over ethnic Indians who comprise nearly 40 per cent of the 932,000 population.

Racial differences have been blamed for four coups in the last 21 years, damaging tourism and the economy.

Bainimarama has been under pressure from Fiji's main aid donors, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, to adhere to the March deadline for a fresh ballot in line with a pledge he gave the Pacific Island Forum last October.

His Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum, told Radio New Zealand on Wednesday that changes to the voting system, which is currently based on communal lines to ensure that Fijians dominate the government, were needed before an election could be held.

He rejected what he called the "dogmatic approach" of countries like Australia and New Zealand in demanding an early return to democracy.

"Elections do not ensure democracy in any country," he said. "An election is an important component of democracy, but so do you need very strong institutions and accountability."

Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum said the military government was trying to put in place "strong systems so you do not have coup after coup - we are trying to end this coup culture." (dpa)