Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga announced in Parliament that Fiji’s electoral reporting may soon reintroduce ethnicity data as a measure to enhance voter turnout and strengthen national policy planning. During the debate on the 2020-2022 Electoral Commission Annual Reports, Turaga emphasized that the omission of ethnicity information from electoral processes has hampered efforts to identify and address voter participation trends in the multicultural nation.
“In a multicultural country like ours, removing ethnicity data has stripped us of vital information necessary for informing national policies. This Government is committed to addressing this gap,” Turaga stated. The Electoral Commission is onboard with including ethnic data in future reports, which will play a crucial role in devising effective voter engagement strategies. Additionally, he supported calls for targeted voter registration initiatives, specifically aimed at students and voters living outside their home constituencies, assuring Parliament that the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) would implement these measures to bolster voter participation.
Further reforms are underway, with Mr. Turaga confirming that drafting new amendments to the electoral laws is currently in progress. He expressed the importance of careful examination of these changes, noting, “You can’t just rush this through.” The draft Electoral Amendment Bill was developed following extensive public consultations and is set to undergo a thorough governmental review before its finalization.
Acknowledging voter frustrations with previous processes, Turaga reassured the public that electoral reforms are being approached with careful consideration. “There’ll be changes to the electoral laws. A lot of consultation has been done,” he affirmed. The aim, he explained, is to make voting more accessible and engaging, fostering an environment where every Fijian can fully participate in future elections.
The government is focusing on enhancing overseas voter access, particularly as some Fijians living abroad received their ballots only a day prior to the last election—a situation Turaga declared unacceptable. He noted the completion of a review of the Electoral Act, with draft regulations poised for further consideration. The FEO has already initiated a range of voter awareness programs internationally, including outreach across Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and more, to help support Fijians living abroad.
Mr. Turaga concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to maintaining transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral system, ensuring every eligible Fijian has fair access to their voting rights. As Fiji advances its electoral reforms, the emphasis on community involvement and public feedback symbolizes a hopeful future for enhancing democratic participation within the nation. By prioritizing these reforms, Fiji demonstrates its dedication to fostering a political landscape that values and engages all citizens, ultimately strengthening the democratic fabric of the country.
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