The number 666, widely associated with the Devil in Christian tradition, has once again been banned from Fiji’s general election candidate numbers.
The Electoral Commission has directed the Supervisor of Elections to exclude the controversial three-digit number from the allocation of candidate numbers for the next general election.
In a directive dated November 10, 2026, Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili said the decision was made out of respect for religious beliefs.
“Out of respect for religious considerations, omit the number 666 from the allocation of 3-digit numbers to candidates under section 36(2)(c) of the Electoral Act 2014,” the directive stated.
The number 666 is commonly referred to as the “number of the Beast” in the Christian Bible’s Book of Revelation and is often associated with Satan or the Antichrist.
The decision is not unprecedented in Fiji.
In January 2018, the Electoral Commission, then chaired by Suresh Chandra, also directed that 666 be removed from the list of numbers allocated to candidates for that year’s general election.
The decision followed concerns about the number’s religious significance and consultations with registered political parties.
The Commission’s 2018 annual report recorded the exclusion of 666 as its first official decision of that year.
During the 2018 General Election, 235 candidates were allocated three-digit numbers through a public draw, with 666 excluded from the allocation process.
The latest directive was issued under sections 76(2) and (3) of the 2013 Constitution and section 8(a) of the Electoral Act 2014.
Under Fiji’s electoral system, candidates are assigned unique three-digit numbers that voters use to identify their preferred candidates on the ballot paper.
The Commission’s latest decision means no candidate will be allocated the number 666 in the upcoming general election.
