The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) will keep alternative polling venues in place should there be any incidence of natural disasters.
During a media briefing, Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said once the general election was announced, the date would be a public holiday.
“Arrangements will be made for alternative locations if our location is unavailable and that will be advised once the election date is announced,” he said.
“If there is a natural disaster in a particular area, of course then common sense applies and we have to make arrangements.”
Yesterday, FEO signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport. Acting permanent secretary for Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Manasa Lesuma, also acknowledged the importance of the general election.
“The election process is a fundamental contribution to Fiji’s democratic governance,” he said.
“The ministry is mandated to manage and coordinate efforts to support maritime and rural development and to implement specific development programs.”
Mr Lesuma said it was crucial for the FEO to work in partnership with the ministry on this national operations exercise with regards to the 2022 General Election. He said district advisory councillors would provide logistical support to FEO on election day in terms of monitoring buses, carriers and minivans as per transport schedules.
“Currently, there are 298 district advisory council constituencies around the country which are administered by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management through their respective district advisory councillors.
“As we speak, officers from the ministry are conducting the advisory council forums which began in the Central Division yesterday (Wednesday) before moving to the Western Division today (Thursday).
“The ministry has been doing well in the coordination and facilitation of national disaster operations and disaster risk reduction. It’s cyclone season this month until April, 2023.
“Such partnership will not only ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of operations on election day, but also ensure that Fijians in the district advisory council communities are able to execute their basic democratic right.”
FEO will have over 2160 polling stations on election day, with 854 polling venues.
These have been split into 101 operation hubs to manage polling venues all over the country.
