The Coalition Government of Fiji still has not fulfilled its promise to investigate the troubling “glitch” that affected the 2022 General Election, leaving citizens increasingly frustrated as nearly two years have passed since the incident. Ana Mataiciwa, the Supervisor of Elections (SoE), has highlighted a concerning lack of clear directions from Justice Minister Siromi Turaga regarding how to address the situation, even as preparations for the upcoming 2026 elections continue.

The glitch transpired on December 14, 2022, when the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) app suffered a malfunction during the counting of votes, leading to the suspension of provisional results and confusion over vote tallies. Former SoE Mohammed Saneem had previously attributed this error to problems with data transmission, which resulted in incorrect vote counts being reported for certain candidates. This incident sparked significant distrust among political leaders, particularly from Sitiveni Rabuka, the then-head of the People’s Alliance party, who openly questioned the legitimacy of the election results.

Mataiciwa has consistently urged for a comprehensive report on the glitch, stating, “Two years have passed since the elections, and many stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and voters, want updates on this matter.” Additionally, she has raised concerns about logistical challenges, particularly regarding the storage of ballot boxes as the FEO prepares for future elections.

Minister Turaga has acknowledged the ongoing investigation, revealing that discussions with the Electoral Commission are still in progress and that the report remains under review. This ongoing dialogue emphasizes the complexities associated with ensuring electoral integrity and maintaining public trust in the democratic process.

While the delays surrounding the investigation are understandably disheartening, they represent an essential opportunity for reform within Fiji’s electoral framework. The government’s commitment to transparency and accountability could lead to meaningful changes that bolster public confidence in future electoral processes.

In summary, although the investigation into the 2022 election glitch remains unresolved, there is hope that the continued dialogue among government officials will pave the way for significant improvements in Fiji’s electoral system. Such advancements are crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring that future elections uphold integrity and fairness.