Fiji election preparation enters new phase amid potential legal reforms

Fiji’s Elections Office is preparing for a possible change to electoral laws as the country moves closer to its next general election.

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa says the biggest challenge currently facing the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) is the uncertainty around whether electoral laws could change before voters go to the polls.

Mataciwa says Fiji is already in an election year under the 2013 Constitution and the FEO is continuing preparations based on the current legal framework.

But she said the FEO is also getting ready in case Parliament approves changes to electoral laws following the Constitution review process.

“Changes to the electoral laws will be beyond our legal mandate, but if it does happen, then we are at a stage where we are just preparing awareness materials ready to push out to our Fijians,” Mataiciwa told PMN News.

“So, in case we go through that path, Fijians are made well aware of the changes that could be there, and how they could prepare themselves basically to go into the poll and vote.”

The Constitution Review Committee recently completed its public consultation process and is now considering submissions before presenting its recommendations to the President.

One submission calling for electoral changes came from Unity Fiji Party Leader Savenaca Narube, who argued that election dates should be announced earlier to give voters and political parties more time to prepare.

“Under the 2013 Constitution, the date of the elections has been announced very late, according to the whims of the government of the day,” Narube told the committee.

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa speaking at a recent meeting with political parties in Suva, Fiji. Photo/Fijian Elections Office.

“That is not fair. We propose that the elections are announced at least eight months before the election day.”

He also called for changes to ensure Members of Parliament automatically lose their seats if their political party is deregistered.

Narube pointed to the deregistration of the former Fiji First Party, arguing its MPs should have lost their parliamentary positions instead of remaining as independents.

“Many of them took maximum advantage and joined the government as ministers - a clear unfairness that your Commission must close.”

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has said that if proposed reforms are not completed in time, the country may proceed with the next election under the existing Constitution and electoral laws.

Rabuka’s comments come after political analyst Professor Steven Ratuva raised concerns about the limited time available for voters to understand any possible constitutional changes before the election.

The Fiji Constitution Review Commission hearing submissions on the island of Rotuma. Photo/Facebook/Constutution Review Committee

Ratuva has warned that rushing reforms could create confusion among voters and affect public confidence in the process.

Ten political parties are currently confirmed for the next general election including the All People's Party, Social Democratic Liberal Party, The People's Alliance, We Unite Fiji Party, Fiji Labour Party, National Federation Party, Unity Fiji, People First, Next Gen Alliance Party, and One Nation Party.

And, Mataiciwas says the FEO remains prepared to deliver the election within the current legal timeline.

“The last possible date that the writ could be issued would be on Christmas Eve of this year,” she said.

“So, if we are stretching it to the last possible writ date, then we are looking at an election in 2027 on 6th of February.”

The FEO has also secured funding following Fiji’s latest budget announcement with additional support coming from regional partners including the New Zealand and Australian Electoral Commissions, NZ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Fijian Elections Office officials carrying out an electoral awareness workshop in Suva, Fiji recently. Photo/Fijian Election Office

Mataiciwa said the extra support would help strengthen voter education, which was identified as an area needing improvement after the 2022 election.

“So, this has really provided the necessary support to us to ensure that we prepare our Fijians, particularly on the awareness bit, which we had felt short of in 2022,” she adds.

“If we look at it now in preparation for the next general election, we are really pushing out awareness and in the different platforms to ensure that our Fijians are well-informed.”

The FEO is also continuing work to rebuild trust with voters, political parties, media organisations, faith groups, and civil society following concerns raised after the 2022 election.

Watch Unity Fiji Party Leader Savenaca Narube make his submission to the Fiji Constitutional Review Committee.

Mataiciwa said restoring confidence in the electoral process remains a key priority as Fiji prepares for its next national vote.