Political parties could face fines of up to $100,000 for corrupt electoral practices under proposed amendments to Fiji’s Electoral Act 2014.
The Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduces a new classification separating offences into “corrupt electoral practices” and “illegal electoral practices”, with different penalties applying to political parties, candidates, polling agents and other individuals.
Under proposed section 135A, a person who commits an offence classified as a corrupt electoral practice could face up to two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
For corrupt electoral practices, the maximum fine would be $100,000 for a political party, $40,000 for a candidate or polling agent, and $10,000 in any other case.
A person convicted of a corrupt electoral practice would also be disqualified from registering on the National Register of Voters for four years.
The Bill proposes lower penalties for offences classified as illegal electoral practices.
These would carry maximum fines of $40,000 for a political party, $20,000 for a candidate or polling agent and $5,000 for any other person.
The proposed changes would also amend existing penalty provisions under sections 136, 137 and 138 of the Electoral Act.
Several offences which currently carry their own specified fines and imprisonment terms would instead be classified as either corrupt or illegal electoral practices and become subject to the penalties provided under the new section 135A.
Among the changes, provisions currently carrying penalties of up to $50,000 or 10 years imprisonment would have their existing penalty wording removed and be classified as corrupt electoral practices.
Other provisions currently carrying penalties including imprisonment of up to five years would instead be classified as illegal electoral practices.
The amendments form part of wider proposed changes to Fiji’s electoral laws contained in the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2026 currently before Parliament.
