Counting officially started at the Vodafone Arena National Count Centre in Suva yesterday, with polling agents and observers on hand to witness the process.
While officiating at the countdown to counting yesterday, deputy Supervisor of Elections Robin Boyd commended the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) team for their hard work on Election Day and the hours that would follow.
He stated each vote counted, and also acknowledged the number of people who took part in pre-poll last week.
He also asked for the co-operation of the polling agents who would be working alongside the FEO staff through the night until tomorrow morning (today).
While announcing the close of polls at the FMF Gymnasium, Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said the last person in queue at 6pm at polling venues would be allowed to vote.
“When the clock hits 6 onwards, the presiding officer will tell the assistant presiding officer to go and stand after the last person who is in the queue at 6pm, and thereafter, anybody who turns up at the polling station will simply be asked to go back,” he said.
When the last person had voted, Mr Saneem said the presiding officer would begin the process of reconciliation and count at the polling stations.
“Counting will be done manually by our staff and party agents and observers who are already in the polling station before the close of poll will be entitled to remain in the polling station and observe the count.
“We thank each and every Fijian who came out, took their time out to vote and I’d like to thank them for their commitment and their patriotism in coming and casting their valid vote for their country.”
