The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) opened its seventh voter services centre in Rakiraki Town yesterday.

Located at the entrance of Rakiraki town the new office will be serving the province of Ra and part of Ba as well.

While officiating at the opening, Electoral Commission member Simione Naiduki said: “We already have 624,404 persons on the voter list for the 2018 Election. The Rakiraki Centre will cover 20,177 voters at the minimum.

“There are 95 polling venues in the Rakiraki area.

“Under the 2013 Constitution, the whole country is a single Constituency. This means there is no requirement to divide Fijians based on ethnicity or race when they come to vote.

“The Multinational Observers for 2014 found this to be a positive element for Fiji. That is why we do not ask you about your race or ethnicity when you register. It is irrelevant information as far as the electoral system is concerned.

“From today, at this centre, you can register as a new voter if you are not already registered, you can verify your voter details, make changes to your personal details or even get a replacement card.

“We are looking forward to delivering excellent services to Rakiraki,” Mr Naiduki said.

“This office will be the seventh that we will opened around the country. We already have such centres in Nausori, Suva, Savusavu, Nadi, Labasa and Lautoka.

“As we all know this is an election year and as such the Electoral Commission has decided that we expand with centres throughout Fiji to facilitate voters services.

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said this was an opportune time for them to expand throughout the country to be able to be deliver voter services to all Fijians.

“Rakiraki is a very strategic location which allows us the reach to neighbouring areas as well as the logistics to many rural locations on this part of the island,” Mr Saneem said.

Edited by Percy Kean

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