Jon Apted, a former supervisor of elections and constitutional lawyer, has expressed concerns that the current laws are inadequate for Local Government elections. During a panel discussion hosted by Dialogue Fiji, Apted argued that these existing regulations could obstruct the electoral process.
He specifically criticized last year’s amendment that allowed nominations either as representatives of a registered political party or as independents. Apted highlighted the historical divide in how elections are contested, noting that major municipalities tend to be battlegrounds for political parties, while smaller towns often attract little interest from them.
Apted pointed out the requirement for candidates to gather 5,000 signatures to be nominated by a registered political party, labeling it as a significant hurdle. He emphasized that this restriction, along with strict reporting requirements, creates barriers to participation.
Additionally, he raised concerns about the challenge of influencing political parties for nomination, particularly for individuals from smaller towns who lack connections or contributions to these parties. He stressed that women, especially from places like Savusavu or Sigatoka, face particular difficulties in gaining recognition from political organizations.
Apted called for action within local municipalities to support women aspiring to become candidates. He advised that those interested must proactively engage with party leaders early in the process to ensure they are recognized.
He concluded by underscoring the need for women, political parties, and NGOs to communicate their needs to the Government and the Minister for Elections, who has the authority to determine the regulations for upcoming elections.