Fiji’s Electoral (Local Government Elections) Regulations 2025 set out a sweeping offences framework that doesn’t just punish the person who breaks the rules – it also targets anyone who helps them do it.
A person who aids, abets, counsels, procures, or is directly or indirectly involved in a breach is treated as if they committed the offence themselves. The same principle applies to political parties: if an unlawful act is done with the authority of a party’s registered officer or executive body, the party can be held responsible.
The penalties system is divided into Category A and Category B offences. Category A carries the heaviest sanctions – fines of up to $50,000 for political parties, $10,000 for candidates or their polling agents, and $5000 for others. A Category A conviction also triggers a major electoral consequence: disqualification from registering on the National Register of Voters for four years.
Category B offences attract smaller fines up to $1000 for political parties, $500 for candidates, and $200 for other individuals. The Regulations also allow courts flexibility: where someone is charged with a Category A offence, the court may still convict them of a Category B offence if the circumstances justify it.
The Regulations define “person” broadly to capture organisations and office holders. For political parties, responsibility can extend to registered officers and office bearers. For companies and NGOs, directors, senior officers, and board members may be included, especially where leadership direction is involved. Media organisations can also be captured through directors, editors, and publishers.
