FIJIANS could see faces and names on ballot papers at the next general election as electoral authorities move to address long-standing public concerns about the current voting system.
Appearing before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on Thursday, Electoral Commission chair Usaia Ratuvili said changes to the ballot paper were being considered following feedback from voters.
He indicated that an amendment relating to ballot papers could be introduced during the next Parliament sitting.
“We’ve got the message loud and clear from members of the public,” Mr Ratuvili said.
“They don’t want a crossword puzzle. They don’t want the numbers. They want a face and a name.”
Mr Ratuvili said the commission was working to accommodate those concerns while ensuring any changes remained practical within Fiji’s electoral system.
However, he noted that designing a ballot paper could become increasingly challenging depending on the number of parties and candidates contesting an election.
“If there are 11 parties with 55 candidates, just imagine the numbers we’re talking about and trying to fit them in the ballot.”
Mr Ratuvili said concerns over the ballot paper were the most common issue raised by members of the public during the nationwide consultations on electoral reform conducted by the Electoral Commission, the Fiji Law Reform Commission and the Ministry of Justice.
He said the commission would continue exploring ways to improve the voting experience while maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
