SUVA, Jan. 9 -- Fiji has appointed the members of the Electoral Commission that will supervise the 2014 general election, the government announced Thursday.

The commission is made up of seven "prominent" citizens from various walks of life headed by its chair, leading legal practitioner Chen Bunn Young, former president of the Fiji Law Society, said the Ministry of Information.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Fiji's attorney general and minister responsible for elections, said each member of the commission brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the task of supervising the upcoming general election.

"I want to thank them all for accepting their roles on the commission, which is a vital component of the (Voreqe) Bainimarama government's plan to hold a free and fair election to the very highest international standards," said Sayed-Khaiyum.

Under the terms of the 2013 Constitution, which was endorsed by Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on Sept. 6 last year, the Electoral Commission is responsible for the registration of voters and the conduct of free and fair elections.

The commission is also responsible for voter education, the registration of candidates for election, the settlement of electoral disputes and monitoring and enforcing compliance with any written law governing elections and political parties.

Under the Constitution, the chair of the commission needs to either be a judge or a legal practitioner who is able to become a judge.

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has said he will form a political party and run for the upcoming general election, which will be held by Sept. 30 this year.