EVR moves into maritime zone
Source: Ministry of Information
Electronic votes registration (EVR) clerks conducting registration at Macuata House in Labasa. Photo: JOELENE TUIMOALA
As Fiji’s electronic voter registration (EVR) continues to advance towards its target of 600,000, more than half of this figure having already registered.
The preliminary results coming out of both rural and maritime communities have been very strong.
Although these results have not yet been finalised, the Election’s Office is able to get a notion of the success of the EVR in a particular locality by comparing the number registered against the census information for that area. The figures are based on the 2007 census, and are used only as a working guideline.
“This is an encouraging sign for the upcoming constitutional consultations,” the Attorney-General and Minister for Elections, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“These figures demonstrate that the Fijian people are engaged in the reform process, and we encourage them to continue to participate by making submissions to the constitution commission, who will be travelling the length and the breadth of the country,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“In the rural and maritime communities, this analysis has allowed the district officers and provincial administrators to adapt their deployment plans, if necessary, in order to redeploy teams to a certain area if they feel it has not been adequately canvassed,” the Permanent Secretary for Elections, Mere Vuniwaqa, said.
“This ensures that each eligible Fijian has the opportunity and ability to register, and has so far led to a first-round of very encouraging results.”
In the Lomaiviti Province, for example, the preliminary results show high levels of participation. 4438 out of an estimated 6170 (or 72 per cent) have registered in Ovalua, 1127 out of 1296 (or 87 per cent) have registered in Koro, and 533 out of 595 (or 90 per cent) have registered in Moturiki.
In the Northern Division, 9320 out of an estimated 10,463 (or 89 per cent) registered in Bua Province.
Additionally, 5360 out of an estimated 5617 (or 95 per cent) have registered in Tukavesi and 3333 out of 3949 (or 84 per cent) have registered in Saqani.
“Of course, we would not be able to achieve these strong numbers without the willingness and excitement of the Fijian people to participate in this process” stated the Permanent Secretary. “We would like to congratulate all those who have already registered, and we look forward to visiting more communities as registration continues.”
Registration continues this week at Voter Registration Centers (VRCs) across the country.
All Fijians of voting age, 18 years and older, are encouraged to consult the public notices published in the Fiji Sun and broadcast on radio, or consult with their district officials or provincial administrators, to find the dates and opening hours of VRCs near them.
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