The Coalition Government of Fiji has yet to fulfill its commitment to investigate the significant “glitch” that occurred during the 2022 General Election, leaving citizens concerned nearly two years later. Ana Mataiciwa, the Supervisor of Elections (SoE), has highlighted the absence of clear directives from Justice Minister Siromi Turaga, even as preparations for the upcoming 2026 elections are underway.

On December 14, 2022, the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) app malfunctioned while counting votes, which led to the suspension of provisional results and confusion regarding vote tallies. The former SoE, Mohammed Saneem, attributed the glitch to issues with data transmission, resulting in incorrect vote counts for certain candidates. This incident sparked significant distrust, especially among political leaders including Sitiveni Rabuka, the then-leader of the People’s Alliance party, who questioned the legitimacy of the election outcomes.

Mataiciwa has consistently urged the need for a comprehensive report to address these issues, emphasizing that “two years have passed since the elections, and many stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and voters, want updates on this matter.” She has also raised logistical concerns regarding the storage of ballot boxes as the FEO prepares for future elections.

Minister Turaga has acknowledged the ongoing investigation, stating that discussions with the Electoral Commission are still in progress and the report remains under review. This acknowledgment reflects the complexities involved in ensuring electoral integrity and highlights the importance of transparency in governance.

While the delays are understandably frustrating, they also represent an opportunity for meaningful reforms within Fiji’s electoral system. The government’s commitment to addressing these issues could lead to significant improvements that bolster public trust in future elections. There is hope that ongoing dialogue and proactive measures will pave the way for enhanced integrity and transparency in Fiji’s democratic processes.

In summary, as the investigation into the 2022 election glitch remains unresolved, there is optimism that continued discussions among government officials will ultimately contribute to restoring public confidence in Fiji’s electoral system and ensuring fair electoral practices in the future.