Cabinet has approved the Electoral (Local Government Elections) Regulations 2025, taking the country a step closer to local government elections after nearly two decades.
These newly approved regulations will govern the rules and procedures for holding municipal elections, replacing the outdated 1972 Local Government (Elections) Regulations under the Local Government Act 1972.
It is now expected the Electoral (Local Government Elections) Regulations 2025 will be taken to Parliament.
The Ministry of Local Government had held consultations around Fiji to determine eligibility criteria for candidates and voters, define electoral boundaries and ward systems, outline nomination, voting, and counting procedures and establish dispute resolution mechanisms and oversight by the Fijian Elections Office.
Fiji’s last municipal elections were held in 2005.
In the years since, special administrators were appointed to oversee the affairs of town and city councils.
This arrangement, initially introduced after the 2006 coup, has been repeatedly extended, sparking calls from civil society, political parties, and the public for a return to elected local leadership.