A resident of Navua has voiced concerns about the current electoral vote counting process, advocating for a return to the traditional method due to waning public trust in the new system. Tomasi Delana, who participated in a recent consultation hosted by the Justice Law Reform Commission regarding the Electoral Act 2014, expressed his belief that vote counting should be conducted by civil servants, rather than temporary workers recruited for the task.
Delana’s sentiments echo complaints from his community about the transparency and accessibility of the electoral process. He stated, “There were a lot of complaints in my area about the last election. We don’t trust the current system. We want the old one back – we trust civil servants to do the job.” Another local resident, Atunaisa Lacabua, shared his confusion over the last election, noting the lack of released vote count details which left many feeling uninformed.
The consultation saw an attendance of only three individuals, prompting Commission Chair and former Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki to acknowledge the challenges in engaging the public effectively. He commented that while they had hoped for greater participation, the submissions provided by the attendees were valuable and insightful.
The call for reform is consistent with broader discussions around the electoral system in Fiji. There has been ongoing scrutiny regarding the connection between voters and their representatives, as highlighted by past criticisms of the current electoral model established under the 2013 Constitution. Fatiaki has previously underscored the importance of enhancing voter engagement and promoting a more user-friendly electoral process that fosters trust.
As discussions continue regarding potential reforms to the electoral framework, there remains hope that these dialogues can yield substantive improvements, strengthening the democratic process in Fiji and helping restore public confidence in its electoral system. The engagement of community voices, like that of Delana and Lacabua, is crucial in shaping a more inclusive and representative political landscape, ensuring that the electoral system reflects the needs and aspirations of all citizens.
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