The Electoral Commission has confirmed that the number of seats in Parliament will remain at 55 for the next general election.
Section 54(2) of the Constitution states that at least one year before a general election, the Electoral Commission must review the composition of Parliament and, where required, adjust the number of Members of Parliament to ensure the ratio of MPs to the population remains as close as practicable to that of the first general election held under the Constitution.
Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili says that, in carrying out this constitutional review, the Commission considered calculations based on census and National Register of Voters.
He says that after considering both official data sources, the Commission noted that the census-based calculations would result in a reduction in seats, while the voter registration-based calculations would result in an increase in seats.
He adds that after carefully weighing the differing outcomes, the Commission determined that maintaining the current number of seats was the most appropriate course of action.
Justice Ratuvili says the Commission determined that retaining 55 seats is consistent with both the express provisions and the spirit of Section 54(2) of the Constitution.
