Qauia residents call for return to multiple constituency based voting system

Residents of the Qauia Settlement in Lami are calling to return to the multiple constituency based voting system.

While speaking during the Electoral Law Reform Consultation held at Qauia Hall in Lami last night, Taufa Qiro of the St. John District Advisory Council and resident Wiliame Koloa highlighted that this will allow them to know who is representing them in Parliament.

Both raised that the reintroduction of constituencies in the electoral system will allow voters to directly approach their elected representatives with the issues affecting them.

Qiro also says some politicians have criminal records and suggested that they should not be standing in the upcoming election.

Koloa criticised the current system, describing it as unfair when a candidate with only 100 votes secures a seat in Parliament, while another with 1,000 votes does not.

He says voters want candidates with the highest number of votes to be elected as they trust those individuals to address their concerns.

The resident also proposed that candidate photos be included on the ballot paper alongside their numbers to assist elderly voters who may forget the number of their preferred candidate.

Meanwhile, Commission Chair Daniel Fatiaki says that a change in the electoral system would require constitutional changes.

Fatiaki says the government must get these changes done before the next general election.

Despite more than 10 people attending the consultation, only two residents shared their opinions and asked questions.

The consultation will continue next week in the Western Division.