Fiji’s Electoral (Local Government Elections) Regulations 2025 has set out a detailed and legally binding roadmap for how municipal elections will be conducted, from the issuing of writs to the declaration of results.
Under the regulations, the Electoral Commission is responsible for issuing a writ for every local government election.
The writ formally triggers the election process and must be issued to the Supervisor of Elections, with copies provided to the minister and the minister responsible for local government.
Polling day must be determined by the commission, which is also required to consult with the supervisor, municipal councils and the Minister of Local Government on practicable timeframes before any writ is issued.
Once received, the supervisor must publish the writ within seven days on the Fijian Elections Office website, display it within the relevant municipality and broadcast key election dates on radio.
Each writ must contain a comprehensive timetable, including the date and time the Register of Voters closes, when the Register will be published, the objection period, nomination opening and closing dates, the number of councillors to be elected in each ward and the polling day if the election is contested.
Polling must be held on a Saturday, between 32 and 40 days after nominations close.
The regulations also address vacancies in municipal councils. When a seat becomes vacant, the council must notify the Electoral Commission, which must issue a writ to fill the vacancy within 28 days, subject to legal challenge periods.
Decisions by the Electoral Commission on vacancy disputes are final and not subject to appeal.
