The Fijian Elections Office needs more than $23 million to conduct the next general elections based on the most recent general elections.
Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa has made this clear during a briefing with the Media Editors today, saying that they anticipate 750,000 voters to be registered for the next general elections.
When asked for the budget for any planned referendum, as being suggested by the government after the constitution review, Mataiciwa says she cannot request for any budget for a referendum as there is no legal framework as yet to make the request.
The earliest possible date for the Writ of Elections to be issued is 24th June this year and the last possible date is 24th December this year.
Mataiciwa says the FEO will be ready to execute the general elections if it is held at the earliest date which is August 7th this year.
Under the law, the next general elections can be held any time between August 7th this year and February 6th next year.
Once the Writ of Elections is issued by the President, the registration of new political parties and voters will end.
There are 8 registered political parties so far.
They are All People's Party, Fiji Labour Party, National Federation Party, SODELPA, People's Alliance, Unity Fiji, We Unite Fiji and People's First.
Mataiciwa says they have received two applications for registration. They are from the Proposed One Nation which previously tried to register as the Fijians First, and the Proposed NextGen Alliance Party.
