The Coalition Government of Fiji’s commitment to investigate a significant ‘glitch’ during the 2022 General Election continues to go unaddressed, eliciting frustration among citizens nearly two years later. Supervisor of Elections (SoE) Ana Mataiciwa has stated that, despite the momentum for the upcoming 2026 elections, there are still no clear directives from Justice Minister Siromi Turaga regarding how to resolve this issue.

The glitch occurred on December 14, 2022, when the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) app malfunctioned during vote counting. This incident led to a suspension of provisional results and confusion regarding vote tallies. Former SoE Mohammed Saneem attributed the malfunction to failures in data transmission, which resulted in some candidates receiving incorrect vote counts. This situation has fueled skepticism about the election’s integrity, particularly from Sitiveni Rabuka, then-leader of the People’s Alliance, who publicly voiced distrust in the election outcomes.

Mataiciwa has consistently emphasized the urgency for a comprehensive report on the incident, pointing out that many stakeholders—including political parties, candidates, and voters—are seeking updates. “Two years have passed since the elections, and many stakeholders want updates on this matter,” she stressed. In addition to the glitch, she also raised logistical challenges concerning the storage of ballot boxes as election preparations progress.

Acknowledging the ongoing investigation, Minister Turaga recently confirmed that discussions with the Electoral Commission are active and that the report is still under review. This highlights the complexities tied to ensuring electoral integrity and maintaining public trust in the democratic process. While the ongoing delays have stirred frustration among many, they can also be seen as an opportunity for reform within Fiji’s electoral framework.

The government’s commitment to transparency and accountability could lead to significant improvements in electoral processes and help restore public trust in future elections. As discussions continue, there remains hope that thorough evaluations will foster positive changes and ensure fair electoral practices moving forward.

In summary, while the investigation into the 2022 election glitch remains unresolved, ongoing dialogue among officials provides a glimpse of hope for enhanced transparency and improved electoral integrity in Fiji’s future elections.