The Electoral Commission in Fiji was unable to conduct an external audit of the National Register of Voters before the 2022 General Election, as revealed by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa during a session with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights. The need for such an audit was part of 21 recommendations put forth by the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) following the 2018 General Election, aimed at enhancing the integrity of Fiji’s electoral process.
Although the Electoral Commission attempted the audit by issuing four separate calls for expressions of interest, logistical barriers prevented its execution. Ms. Mataiciwa stated that the commission accepted 14 of the MOG’s recommendations, with the external audit being among those agreed to but not actualized. This audit was intended to ensure that the voter list is accurate, comprehensive, and free of errors or potential fraud, thus bolstering public confidence in the election process.
The inability to verify the reliability of the voter list through an independent audit left the integrity of the 2022 General Election somewhat open to question. This mirrors previous challenges faced by the Fijian Elections Office, such as technical glitches during the vote-counting process in the same election year, which led to discrepancies and skepticism regarding vote tallying. The technical issues were attributed to problems in data transmission, resulting in erroneous vote numbers and the eventual suspension of provisional results.
In response to past challenges, the Fijian Elections Office has committed to a series of reforms aimed at improving electoral processes, including better quality control measures, system transparency, and collaboration with stakeholders. These efforts are part of a broader goal to restore trust and confidence in Fiji’s democratic processes as the nation prepares for future elections.
While the setbacks have been sources of frustration, the willingness to embrace reforms and the continued focus on transparency represent a positive trajectory for Fiji’s electoral framework. The resolution to address these issues and implement changes shows a commitment to ensuring a reliable and trustworthy electoral system in the future, thereby reinforcing the foundation of democratic governance in the country.
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