The return of Local Government elections will restore “true democracy” at the municipal level and return decision‑making power to communities, Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa said, confirming that polls will be held before the end of this year. Nalumisa told reporters the public is now awaiting an official election date and that a joint launch by the Fiji Elections Office (FEO) and the Ministry will soon set out the practical timeline and procedural steps.
Nalumisa said amendments to the Local Government Act have been completed to align it with the Electoral Act, a move he described as necessary to put proper systems in place ahead of voting. He said Cabinet approved the legislative changes last year and the Ministry has since been preparing administrative and legal frameworks so municipal polls can be conducted in line with national electoral standards.
The minister emphasised the elections are aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability at local level. “This is about transferring decision‑making power back to the people,” Nalumisa said, noting residents will be able to elect leaders they believe are capable of managing municipality affairs. He said outreach and civic education campaigns being run nationwide are designed to help voters understand the responsibilities of councils and how local government contributes to national development.
Since receiving Cabinet approval, the Ministry has stepped up civic awareness activity, Nalumisa said, deploying outreach teams across municipalities to explain voter registration procedures, candidate roles and the functions of local councils. He described the programmes as complementary to work already under way by the FEO to boost community engagement ahead of elections, including earlier initiatives to train community election advocates to promote voter participation and confidence in electoral processes.
Restoring municipal elections was a key promise of the Coalition Government, Nalumisa reiterated, and the commitment to hold polls before year’s end is intended to fulfil that pledge. While he did not give an exact date for polling, he said the forthcoming joint launch by the FEO and the Ministry will provide a detailed roadmap, including the timetable for nominations, voter roll checks and other pre‑election processes.
Legal alignment between the Local Government Act and the Electoral Act is intended to avoid confusion between national and municipal rules and to ensure consistent standards for voter registration, candidate nomination and election administration, officials say. With those amendments in place, the Ministry and FEO expect to coordinate closely to deliver a process that observers, candidates and citizens can view as fair and transparent.
The confirmation that elections will take place this year marks the latest development in a long‑standing push to reintroduce elected municipal governments. For residents and local stakeholders, the immediate questions now centre on the precise election schedule and the administrative details the joint FEO‑Ministry launch will outline. Nalumisa said the Government remains focused on ensuring communities are informed and prepared to exercise their vote once the formal timetable is announced.
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