Cabinet is expected to make a final decision within the next two weeks on whether municipal elections will be held this year, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed.
The announcement comes as Government ministers continue discussions on election timelines, financing, and logistical preparations for the long-awaited return of local government elections.
Mr Rabuka said the Minister for Local Government had submitted key documents to Cabinet outlining factors that needed to be considered before a final decision could be made.
“He brought a paper in today with the various factors that we need to look at and for us to come up with a map on timings moving forward,” Mr Rabuka said.
“There have also been some dates given to us.”
He added that the Attorney-General had also provided timelines prepared by the Fiji Elections Office.
“The actual decision on whether or not to have elections this year will have to be decided by Cabinet,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said ministers responsible for lands, local government, and finance would now finalise an implementation plan before returning to Cabinet with “a definite yes or no in two weeks’ time”.
“We are aware that we have promised the people that we will bring it on, and for the last 20 years there has never been anything done.”
Responding to criticism that Government may delay elections due to weak public support, Mr Rabuka said no such assessment had been made.
He reiterated Government’s commitment to restoring municipal elections after more than 20 years and confirmed voter registration work and boundary preparations were already underway.
Mr Rabuka said Government was also considering holding elections during the school holidays.
Meanwhile, Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said they have not received any formal communication from Government regarding the possible postponement or reconsideration of the long-awaited municipal elections.
