The government has adapted outdated Local Government regulations to resemble those used in parliamentary elections in Fiji, according to Jon Apted, a former supervisor of elections and constitutional lawyer. Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji,” organized by Dialogue Fiji on Tuesday, Apted described this change as a significant mistake.
He emphasized that Local Government elections are fundamentally distinct from parliamentary elections and noted that many laws governing Local Government elections have yet to be established. “There are two sets of barriers that exist now,” he said, referencing the current legal framework as amended last year and the absence of many necessary laws.
He pointed out that the uncertainty surrounding how the election system will function complicates the organization and planning processes. “It’s very difficult to organize and predict how you’re going to play the game if you don’t know the rules of the game. This poses a major obstacle for everyone involved.”
Apted criticized the government for hastily amending the Local Government Act and stated that his concerns during a Dialogue Fiji forum were not adequately addressed in the resulting legislation. He also noted a general lack of public interest and awareness regarding Local Government elections, highlighting the need for extensive efforts to educate communities about the significance of Local Government voting and to encourage voter turnout.