Fiji’s democratic status has recently come under scrutiny following the release of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) 2025 report, which ranked the nation 85th in the world. This ranking reflects significant issues in local governance, particularly in municipal areas, despite commendable progress in some aspects of national democratic representation.
The report, prepared by International IDEA, highlights Fiji’s poor performance in “Local Democracy,” placing it in the red zone for this indicator. The lack of elected municipal councils has exacerbated domestic criticisms and has disconnected national governance efforts from grassroots democratic engagement. In contrast, Fiji demonstrated robust scores in “Inclusive Suffrage,” “Elected Government,” and “Civil Society.” However, areas like “Effective Parliament,” “Credible Elections,” “Access to Justice,” and “Absence of Corruption” only reached mid-range levels.
Moreover, Fiji excelled in “Participation,” ranking 26th globally due to active civic engagement and civil society contributions. Yet, the notable deficiency in local democracy continues to pose a significant challenge.
Efforts to rectify this situation have been initiated, including the Cabinet’s approval of the Electoral (Local Government Elections) Regulations 2025. However, concrete dates for elections remain unannounced, prolonging the wait for the establishment of elected councils since their absence for nearly two decades.
Previous articles and reports indicate that Fiji is simultaneously experiencing advancements in political rights and civil liberties, evidenced by its improved rankings in the Freedom of the World index. Legal reforms such as the repeal of restrictive media laws have nurtured a healthier environment for human rights and press freedom. However, challenges like the restrictive Public Order Act linger, indicating that further legislative reforms are necessary to enhance civic freedoms fully.
Dialogue Fiji’s Executive Director, Nilesh Lal, and other civic leaders underscore the urgent need to hold municipal elections. This call to action aims to address community issues, such as infrastructure and waste management, which are beyond the scope of national parliamentary responsibilities. Failure to progress with local elections has led to growing community frustrations over the lack of accountability and engagement at the grassroots level.
As Fiji prepares for these essential reforms, there is a cautious optimism that upcoming elections will revitalize local governance. This will empower citizens to take an active role in their communities, strengthening democratic engagement and representation. The ongoing dialogue between the government and civil society reflects a collective commitment to restoring local democracy in Fiji.
In essence, while Fiji faces challenges in consolidating its democratic processes, recent strides in civil liberties and media freedom provide a hopeful outlook. The upcoming municipal elections represent a pivotal opportunity for the nation to enhance local governance, further align its democratic aspirations with the will of its people, and continue its journey towards a more vibrant and resilient democracy.
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