The Coalition Government’s investigation into the vote-counting ‘glitch’ during the 2022 General Election in Fiji remains unfulfilled nearly two years later, raising concerns among citizens about the integrity of the electoral process. Ana Mataiciwa, the current Supervisor of Elections (SoE), has voiced frustration over the lack of clear directives from Justice Minister Siromi Turaga, despite preparations for the upcoming 2026 elections.

The glitch, which occurred on December 14, 2022, led to significant disruptions in the counting of votes, resulting in incorrect vote tallies for various candidates. This incident caused considerable mistrust in the election results, particularly from Sitiveni Rabuka, the then-leader of the People’s Alliance, who questioned the legitimacy of the outcomes.

Mataiciwa has repeatedly emphasized the urgency for a detailed report on this matter, stating, “Two years have passed since the elections, and many stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and voters, want updates on this matter.” The situation is further complicated by the need for the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) to address storage issues related to ballot boxes as they gear up for the next election.

Minister Turaga has indicated that the investigation is still ongoing, with discussions planned between him, the Electoral Commission, and the Supervisor of Elections to advance the findings before informing the Cabinet. This prolonged investigation highlights the complexities involved in ensuring electoral integrity, but it also provides an opportunity for the government and the FEO to strengthen public confidence through greater transparency.

In light of this situation, there remains a hopeful outlook that as this investigation continues, it can lead to necessary reforms in Fiji’s electoral processes and ultimately restore trust among voters. The commitment to engage in thorough discussions reflects a desire to uphold democratic principles, ensuring that future elections are conducted with the utmost integrity and transparency.