Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says voter burnout is a real risk if Fijians are required to return to the polls too frequently within a short period of time, warning that it could weaken participation and damage the quality of democracy.
Speaking during a press conference today, Mr Rabuka defended the Government’s decision to defer municipal council elections until after the next General Election.
“Voter burnout is a real risk. When citizens are asked to go to the polls too frequently in a short space of time, fatigue sets in, participation drops, and the quality of our democracy suffers,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said the financial burden of holding multiple elections would also place pressure on both Government and ordinary Fijians.
“All those costs of these polls, not only to the Government but to you, the people of Fiji, I will not allow to happen,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the decision was aimed at protecting the integrity and effectiveness of the country’s electoral processes.
“As your Prime Minister, I have a duty to protect the integrity of the electoral processes and ensure that every vote cast carries its full meaning and its energy. This deferral is therefore a decisive but responsible call,” Mr Rabuka said.
He stressed the move should not be viewed as abandoning local democracy, but rather delaying the elections until conditions were more suitable.
“It is not a retreat from our commitment to local democracy. It is a strategic pause to ensure we get it right under the prevailing conditions,” he said.
Mr Rabuka assured the public that municipal elections would still be held and elected councils restored after the General Election.
“Local government elections will be held, elected councils will be restored, but they will be held at a time when we can give them the full attention, resources and public engagement they deserve,” he said.
