The Fiji Electoral Law Reform Review Team is preparing to launch public consultations next month aimed at revising the country’s electoral legislation, according to Review Team Chair, Daniel Fatiaki. These consultations will first be conducted in Viti Levu, with plans to extend to other regions, ensuring a broad engagement with diverse communities.
Fatiaki highlighted the importance of an interactive consultation process, supported by two key documents: one outlining discussion topics and the other detailing the consultation timeline. These discussions will encompass various electoral topics, including the existing electoral system, vote counting methods, qualifications for voters and candidates, as well as addressing the issue of women’s representation in Parliament, which has been notably low.
This initiative is framed as a meaningful effort to genuinely gather public opinions on enhancing the electoral act. Fatiaki is encouraging all citizens to actively participate in the consultations and share their insights.
The review process resonates with ongoing discussions aimed at reforming Fiji’s electoral laws and notably reinforces efforts to improve women’s representation. In the last general election, only five women secured seats in Parliament, underscoring the urgent need for change. This push for reform illustrates the Fijian government’s commitment to modernizing its electoral framework to be more inclusive and representative.
By amplifying the voices of its citizens in this review, Fiji is poised on a positive trajectory towards building a more participatory democracy. This initiative symbolizes a hopeful advancement in tackling longstanding electoral challenges and rebuilding public confidence in democratic practices.
Leave a comment