India hands over eight vehicles for Fiji polls

India Monday handed over eight vehicles to the Fiji elections office in keeping with its commitment to aid the poll process in the Pacific Ocean island nation, the external affairs ministry said.

"India has committed the provision of 10 vehicles to Fiji to assist in the conduct of democratic elections to be held Sep 17. In addition, India will also provide indelible ink for the elections, besides training to election and parliamentary officials," said a ministry statement.

Eight vehicles were handed over by Indian High Commissioner Vinod Kumar in the presence of Attorney General and Minister for Elections Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Two will be delivered later.

Attorney General and Supervisor of Elections in Fiji Mohammed Saneem expressed the country's gratitude to India for the vehicles and being supportive of Fiji as it holds "the first truly democratic elections".

The vehicles would be used immediately for voter awareness programmes, which was formally launched Monday, the statement said.