The new leader of Fiji’s People’s Democratic Party, Felix Anthony, says the country’s electoral process is overly complicated and the upcoming poll will not be free and fair.

Anthony, the former secretary general of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, was elected as leader at the party’s annual general meeting on Saturday.

“There’s little confidence in the electoral process at the moment,” he told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat programme.

He said he believes the electoral process will be a disadvantage to minority groups living on outer islands.

“The voting procedures that have been put in place, where people would have to vote for a number, rather than a candidate, or a party, that’s very complicated,” he said.

“What we’re likely to see is a large number of invalid votes coming through.”

The elections on September 17 will be the first since the military coup led by current interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama in December 2006.

In March, Australia and New Zealand lifted travel sanctions on senior Fijian officials in place since the military takeover.

Anthony has accused Australia and New Zealand of settling for any form of democracy for the sake of convenience.

“We’re very disappointed with the attitude of the Australian and New Zealand governments in this case because they seem to have been falling head over heels for the fact that we’re going to have elections,” he said.

The PDP is set to release its party manifesto next month.

Anthony said the party is committed to protecting workers’ rights, and will focus on education.

"We are determined to ensure that Fiji returns to the international stage as a respectable member of the international community, respecting international norms,” he said.

Fiji Village reports Anthony contested with the outgoing interim president of the party, Adi Sivia Qoro, for the leader’s position.

Anthony said the most important thing the party can offer to the people of Fiji is the multiracial make-up that was seen at Saturday’s party conference in Lautoka which 2000 people attended.

Anthony says the party has in its constitution a requirement of 20 per cent women and 20 per cent youth in its leadership.

He said the PDP is committed to a development model that will eradicate poverty and exploitation in Fiji.

“The party is committed to a development model that will eradicate poverty and exploitation, reduce economic and social inequalities, improve food and energy security and guarantee sustainable livelihoods,” Anthony said.

Anthony said the PDP was particularly mindful of the need for enhanced investor confidence, sustainable development of our natural resources, the creation of meaningful employment opportunities and the adoption of clear policies to revive the economy, strengthen the informal sector, encourage small business and reduce poverty by meeting peoples’ basic needs.

He said PDP was committed to protecting the rights and dignity of workers, including their right to decent work.

“The party will develop policies that comply with all core ILO conventions,” Anthony said.