The Fijian Elections Office is continuing to prepare for both the Local Government elections and the next general election, despite uncertainty now over whether the municipal polls scheduled for September will go ahead.
This follows comments by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka that the government will reconsider whether the Local Government elections should proceed as planned, hinting that the elections may have to be deferred.
Responding to questions on the matter, Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa says the FEO had already begun preparations earlier this year after Cabinet endorsement and instructions from the Electoral Commission.
Mataiciwa says as of now, she has not received any instruction from the Electoral Commission.
INSERT: SOE on elections 19th May
Mataiciwa says voter registration for the Local Government elections is underway and will continue regardless of any proposed deferral.
She says both electoral processes are synchronised, meaning that regardless of whether one is deferred, the resources can still be used for the upcoming general election.
She adds that the FEO has also continued awareness programmes with civil society organisations and faith-based groups while polling venues confirmed for the local government elections will also be used for the general election.
On concerns about money already spent on local government election preparations, Mataiciwa says while the FEO awaits upcoming budget consultations, resources allocated for this financial year have been utilised for preparations for both elections.
She says the work undertaken so far supports both electoral processes.
INSERT: SOE on money spent 19th May
Mataiciwa says the FEO remains focused on serving Fijians and ensuring readiness for either election.
