Voter registration for municipal elections begins April 13

Voter registration for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) or municipal elections is scheduled to begin on April 13.

This marks a major step towards Fiji’s first municipal polls in more than two decades.

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said the registration drive formed part of a nationwide effort by the Fijian Elections Office to ensure eligible voters were informed and prepared to participate in the long-awaited elections.

Voter awareness is central to the success of the electoral process with participation built through understanding and access to accurate information.

“Participation does not happen by chance. It is built on awareness and understanding, which empowers voters and gives them confidence in the electoral process,” Ms Mataiciwa said.

“Voter awareness cannot be treated as a simple requirement before polling day.”

In the coming weeks and months, eligible voters living within municipal boundaries will begin seeing various outreach and information campaigns designed to explain the electoral process and how they can take part in the LGE.

She acknowledged the role of Local Government permanent secretary Seema Sharma, who also chairs the LGE working group, for supporting preparations for the elections.

Voter awareness

Ms Mataiciwa also thanked members of the Electoral Commission of Fiji for their continued role in guiding the country’s electoral governance.

Civil society organisations, faith-based groups, political parties and municipal councils were also urged to support voter awareness within their communities.

Media will play a crucial role in ensuring that reliable information reaches voters across the country and helps them better understand the electoral process, she said.

“Our responsibility as the Fijian Elections Office is to ensure that no eligible voter is left behind or misses the opportunity to participate simply because they lacked the information they needed,” she said.

The LGE are expected to take place in September.