The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) will launch a nationwide voter registration exercise for schools starting on Monday.

This exercise will continue for the next four weeks and is expected to end on August 7.

The launch will take place on Monday at All Saints Secondary School in Labasa from 10am.

The voter registration exercise will be launched by the Deputy Supervisor of Elections, Michael Clancy.

Mr Clancy said: “The objective of this registration exercise is to target newly eligible voters (students) who are 18 years and over.”

This is to ensure that they are captured on the National Register of Voters and that the electoral roll is current. These are Year 12 and Year 13 students.”

He further states: “It will enable students to vote in elections which is their responsibility as a citizen. Students will gain knowledge and understanding in relation to the electoral processes and be able to have a say in selecting the future leaders of the country.”

Sixty-seven (67) schools will be visited by FEO officials in the Central Division, 60 in the Western Division, 38 in the Northern Division and 13 in the Eastern Division.

Schools in the maritime islands will also be visited, including Lau, Yasawa, Kadavu, Rotuma and Lomaiviti, to ensure that no eligible student is left out.

An information session will be conducted with Year 12 and Year 13 students at the beginning of the registration programme.

It will include the purpose of registering and how to complete the voter registration forms, how to update/correct details if there is any change in address after the eligible student will be registered and provided with an Electronic Voter Registration (EVR) card.

Registration identity requirements include either a birth certificate, valid passport, driver’s license, FNPF card, Social Welfare card or a student ID with a photograph.

The FEO encourages all eligible students to make most of the opportunity, teachers and parents are also requested to support the initiative.