The Coalition Government of Fiji has yet to fulfill its promise to investigate the significant ‘glitch’ that disrupted the 2022 General Election, leaving citizens without clarity nearly two years later. Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa has raised concerns regarding the absence of clear directives from Justice Minister Siromi Turaga, despite ongoing preparations for the upcoming elections in 2026.

The incident occurred on December 14, 2022, when the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) app malfunctioned while tallying votes, leading to a suspension of provisional results. Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem attributed this glitch to data transmission failures, resulting in erroneous vote counts for several candidates. This raised skepticism about the election’s integrity, particularly from Sitiveni Rabuka, then-leader of the People’s Alliance.

Mataiciwa has consistently emphasized the need for a comprehensive report on the issue, stating, “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 challenges regarding the storage of ballot boxes as the FEO gears up for the next election cycle.

Minister Turaga has acknowledged the investigation’s ongoing status and expressed a desire for further dialogue with the Electoral Commission and Mataiciwa to progress findings before informing the Cabinet. This ongoing deliberative process highlights the complexities of maintaining electoral integrity and the necessity for public trust in democratic processes.

While the delays in the investigation are concerning, they also present an opportunity for meaningful reforms in Fiji’s electoral framework. The commitment from government officials to transparency and accountability inspires hope for improvements that may restore public trust in future elections.

In summary, the investigation into the 2022 election glitch remains unresolved, but the dedication to thorough evaluations and transparency suggests that positive developments may arise, ultimately leading to stronger electoral integrity in Fiji.