After 21 years, local government elections will be held again this year, allowing voters to elect their municipal representatives.
Candidate registrations will open next month on the 13th, while the elections are scheduled to take place in September on a Saturday.
The exact date has not yet been confirmed but authorities say it will fall on one of the Saturdays in September.
People aged 18 and above will be eligible to vote.
Speaking at the launch of the Local Government Elections Awareness Drive at the Civic Centre in Suva today, Permanent Secretary for Local Government Seema Sharma highlighted the importance of public participation in the elections.
Sharma says it is important for people to understand why they should vote in local government elections, as it allows them to engage directly with representatives and raise issues affecting their communities.
She adds that while the process may be new for many young people, it is also an opportunity for them to step up as candidates and become a voice for the people to the government of the day.
Sharma says voters and elected representatives have the right to hold leaders accountable and ask questions on behalf of their communities.
Meanwhile, Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa is urging the public to familiarise themselves with the voting process.
Mataiciwa says her team will conduct public consultations and awareness campaigns to ensure people understand how to vote in the local government elections.
She adds that the awareness drive will also help prevent confusion between local government elections and general elections.
