$58 million budgeted for elections, referendum and Elections Office operations

More than $58 million has been allocated to fund Fiji's next general election, a possible referendum and the day-to-day operations of the Fijian Elections Office during the 2026-2027 financial year.

Budget documents released by the Fijian Elections Office show a total allocation of $58,057,984, comprising $23.24 million for the office's operating budget, $14.82 million for Election Day expenses and $20 million set aside for a possible referendum.

The Electoral Commission has also been allocated an operating budget of $556,988.

Speaking during a media briefing, Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said the Elections Office was continuing work to ensure the National Register of Voters remained accurate ahead of future electoral events.

She said updated voter registration statistics would be released next month after the current verification exercise was completed.

"We will be able to release the next update of the statistics in the month of August," Ms Mataiciwa said.

Ms Mataiciwa said the Elections Office conducted voter verification every six months by cross-checking information with several government agencies, including the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry, the Fiji National Provident Fund, the Fiji Corrections Service and the Immigration Department.

"The first verification is through documents such as death and marriage certificates. The second verification is with FNPF, where we cross-check the records," she said.

She said the office also published voter lists to allow members of the public to identify discrepancies before the register was updated.

"We go an extra mile in the verification process because maintaining the accuracy of the National Register of Voters (NRV) is important."

Ms Mataiciwa said the strengthened verification process was introduced after concerns were raised about the voter roll during previous general elections.

The ongoing exercise also includes checking inmate records and other categories of voters to ensure only eligible voters remain on the National Register of Voters.

The updated voter statistics are expected to provide the latest picture of Fiji's registered voters as preparations continue for the country's next electoral events.