Fiji election blackout to end on Saturday night

An extended blackout restricting election coverage in Fiji will end on Saturday night.

The blackout was supposed to have been lifted at the close of polls on Wednesday.

But the ban on reporting election campaigning will last until extra polling ends on Saturday.

Heavy rain forced the early closure of 25 polling stations on Wednesday and the cancellation of about 7500 votes.

Election authorities have announced they will reopen these stations on Saturday.

Provisional results show a win for Frank Bainimarama's FijiFirst but counting is still underway.

Meanwhile, the leaders of four political parties have lodged an official complaint about aspects of the election process.