There are interesting times ahead for the Fijian Elections Office as they prepare for the general election, particularly with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Parliament yesterday.
He made the statement while responding to SODELPA member of Parliament Ro Filipe Tuisawau’s queries on a $23.1 million allocation – and an additional $14.8 million – set aside for the Fijian Elections Office under the 2021-2022 National Budget.
He said the cost of general elections was split in two.
He said a faction of the allocation would be used for preparing the election and the other for the actual election itself.
The A-G said FEO would need to recruit polling officers, conduct the polls and acquire transparent ballot boxes.
He said with the covid restrictions in place this was “why it is important that we are telling people to get vaccinated”.
He said the allocation of $14.8 million would be used if elections were held between the financial year of 2021-2022, otherwise the funds will be moved forward to the 2022-2023 financial year.
