Polling Venue Too Quiet For 45-Year-Old Voter
Forty-five-year-old Muanikau resident Eroni Tawayaga hopes the next government will champion transparency and good governance for the betterment of all Fijians.
Mr Tawayaga was one of 1433 registered voters expected to vote at Draiba Fijian School.
He said one of the things that he noticed about this year’s election was the quietness of the venues.
“A feedback to the Fiji Elections Office if it can be improved in the next election, to make it more like a festival where people come and enjoy, where there is music, there is food and then people just come around and sit around before they go in and cast their vote.
“In the past elections, even in the 300 metres boundaries people are hyping up and excited about the elections and it is something like a festival where people come in and enjoy themselves while here to cast their vote because this is one of the most important things in the country,” Mr Tawayaga said.
“Secondly, what I have also witnessed is there is less Fijian Elections Office polling clerks or officials. One is to officiate or assist the elderly’s like we just witnessed people getting off from the cars and start walking down slowly. Like before we normally had people just waiting to escort them in.”
He said he was fortunate that his name was in the voters list adding that he was prepared to confront officials if he was to face any issues, just so he ensures that his vote counts.
“The process has been quite fast because there are three stations next to each other, that is Suva Grammar School, Holy Trinity and here. Last election it was the same too we just walked in and went right in to vote,” he said.
He said the election environment this year has been somewhat formal, unlike the celebrations that used to occur at polling stations in previous years.
“From the past years when they have gatherings, party’s can also gauge from there on who people are going to vote for, and it was a friendly environment where people come and meet each other. It was a day to celebrate.”
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