The Coalition Government of Fiji’s failure to investigate the ‘glitch’ that occurred during the 2022 General Election still leaves many citizens without clarity nearly two years later. Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, has expressed her frustration over the lack of guidance from Justice Minister Siromi Turaga as the country prepares for the upcoming 2026 elections.

The glitch, which took place on December 14, 2022, involved a malfunction of the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) app during the crucial vote-counting process. This incident halted provisional results, and former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, indicated that the malfunction was due to issues with data transmission, leading to incorrect vote tallies for numerous candidates. Following the glitch, then-leader of the People’s Alliance, Sitiveni Rabuka, raised concerns about the integrity of the election results.

Mataiciwa has continuously emphasized the urgent need for a thorough report on this incident, highlighting, “Two years have passed since the elections, and many stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and voters, want updates on this matter.” Besides calling for clarity on the glitch, she also pointed out logistical challenges regarding the storage of ballot boxes as the FEO prepares for future elections.

In a recent forum on cybercrime, Minister Turaga acknowledged the ongoing investigation, noting that discussions with the Electoral Commission are still active, but the report remains under review. This indicates the complexity of ensuring electoral integrity and maintaining public trust in the democratic process.

Though the delay in addressing these issues is understandably frustrating, it presents an opportunity for the government to initiate meaningful reforms in Fiji’s electoral framework. The focus on transparency and accountability could lead to enhanced electoral processes, fostering confidence among voters in future elections.

In summary, while the investigation into the 2022 election glitch remains unresolved, continued dialogue among government officials and stakeholders empowers hope for significant improvements that could restore public faith in Fiji’s electoral system. This circumstance serves as a reminder of the critical importance of integrity in democratic practices.