Candidates standing in next year’s General Elections will now have a new number attached to their names.

A draw to select the first number that will appear on the ballot paper for the 2018 Elections was conducted yesterday by the chairman of Electoral Commission, Suresh Chandra.

The number 508 was drawn by a man blind folded and assisted by the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, under Police supervision.

The Fijian Elections Office will now prepare awareness materials to allow Fijians to get used to the series that may appear in the next elections.

“What goes to which candidate will be decided once nomination is received at the Fijian Elections Office,” Mr Saneem said.

Supervisor of Election Mohammed Saneem shows the sample ballot paper that will begin with 508 for the 2018 general election. Photo:Jone Luvenitoga

In the last election, the number started with 135. The number draw is pursuant to section 36(2) (c) of the Electoral Act, 2014.

The Act outlines that “the Electoral Commission is required to approve the first 3 digit number of the Ballot Paper for the 2018 General Election. Therefore, the Electoral Commission has approved that a ballot draw is conducted and widely publicized to determine this first three digits.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback:  rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj