FIJI’S elections office has reassured the public that the country’s electoral processes, including the National Register of Voters, are administered in strict accordance with the law.
In a statement, the Fiji Elections Office said it welcomed public scrutiny and informed discussion on electoral matters.
This followed speculation on social media that the process had been compromised.
The FEO stressed that any claims about the voter register and other electoral processes must be supported by credible evidence and verified information, not assumptions or misinformation.
The office said it had noted the circulation of false and misleading information about the National Register of Voters and other electoral processes.
It warned that, where necessary, it would consider applying Section 144A(1) of the Electoral Act 2014. The provision prohibits the publication of information known, or reasonably believed, to be false and likely to influence the outcome of an election or undermine public confidence in the Supervisor of Elections or the Electoral Commission.
The FEO said anyone found guilty of breaching the law could face a fine of up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
It said voter registration is conducted in person using prescribed identification requirements. The National Register of Voters is continuously updated through voter registration services, nationwide and overseas registration drives, and regular data-cleaning exercises.
According to the FEO, these exercises are carried out with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Immigration, the Fiji National Provident Fund and the Fiji Corrections Service. They include verifying records of deaths, citizenship status and other changes that may affect a person’s eligibility to vote. During an election period, these checks are carried out more frequently to maintain the register’s accuracy.
The FEO said it had assessed several claims relating to the National Register of Voters and other electoral processes and found they were not supported by the facts.
It also said voter registration, election systems and the allocation of voters to polling stations are managed in accordance with electoral laws and established operational procedures. These systems are subject to ongoing verification, oversight and legal safeguards to ensure the integrity, security and accuracy of Fiji’s electoral services.
The FEO encouraged the public to obtain electoral information through its official communication channels and seek clarification before publishing or sharing information. It reaffirmed its commitment to delivering electoral processes that are accurate, transparent, credible and fully compliant with Fiji’s electoral laws.
