Today, May 26 (2021) marks exactly one year until the first day the Writ for the 2022 General Election may be issued.
And this, Fiji’s Electoral Commission has advised all political parties, voters, prospective candidates and the general public of, and with more announcements to be expected.
“This date is crucial for many stakeholders as the preparation for the next general election will intensify in the coming months both in terms of those that intend to contest the election as well as the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office,” Electoral Commission chairman Suresh Chandra said.
He said the Commission would, in due course, announce its decisions on the total number of seats that will be contested in the next election.
He added the Commission had also decided to conduct a public draw to determine the first number on the Ballot Paper.
“Towards September this year, the Commission will publish the List of Polling Venues for the next General Election so that all stakeholders are able to plan their operations.”
Mr Chandra said in preparation for next year’s General Election, the Commission had already begun its meetings with political parties.
“We will continue our engagements with political parties and soon the FEO will also be starting operational level engagements with the parties so that all critical stakeholders are well informed and prepared for the next General Election.”
He noted the three Electoral Bills in Parliament and said once the Parliament passed the amendments as it deemed fit, the legal framework for the next election would become clearer for all stakeholders.
