The government has updated its Local Government regulations by adopting rules similar to those used in parliamentary elections in Fiji, according to Jon Apted, a former supervisor of elections and constitutional lawyer. During a panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji,” organized by Dialogue Fiji, Apted criticized this move as a “huge mistake.”
He emphasized that Local Government elections differ significantly from parliamentary elections and pointed out that many laws necessary for governing Local Government elections have yet to be established. Apted noted, “There are two sets of barriers that exist now: the existing law, amended last year, and the fact that much of the regulatory framework for Local Government elections remains unfinished.”
The lack of clarity surrounding the electoral system poses substantial challenges. “It is very difficult to organize and predict how you’re going to play the game if you don’t know the rules,” he said, underscoring the barriers faced by all stakeholders.
Apted mentioned that the government rushed an amendment to the Local Government Act and expressed concerns at a previous Dialogue Fiji forum, stating, “The legislation that emerged shortly afterward didn’t reflect the discussions we had here.”
Additionally, he pointed out a general lack of interest within the community regarding Local Government elections, affirming that “people have no idea” about the elections. This indicates a pressing need for increased awareness about the significance of voting in Local Government elections and efforts to encourage community participation.