Statement by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission
Mr Mukesh Nand
Issuance of Writ of Elections
Suva – 31 October 2022
Fellow Electoral Commission Members,
The Supervisor of Elections,
Invited Guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Bula Vinaka and a very warm welcome to you all.
It is my pleasure to announce that following the issuance of the Writ for the 2022 General Election by His Excellency the President, Ladies and Gentlemen under section 59 of the Constitution, we are now officially in Election mode.
The Writ for an Election that has been issued contains the following details:
- Election for Fifty-five (55) members of Parliament;
- Date and time on which, and the place at which, nominations of candidates for the Election are to be received by; and
- Date on which the poll will be held for the 2022 General Election;
- Date on or before which the Writ is returnable to the President.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Electoral Commission, under section 75 of the Constitution, is responsible for the conduct of free and fair elections in accordance with written law governing elections in Fiji. The Electoral Commission will follow the law as it is – and that is our prescribed role in the Constitution.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2022 General Election will be held on 14 December 2022, with Polling Stations open from 7.30am to 6.00pm. Pre-poll Voting and Postal Voting will also be available where, for various reasons set out in the law for voters who are unable to attend their assigned Polling Station on election day. There will be further information about these options in the coming days.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the total number of registered voters as of 28 October 2022 stands at 692,918 out of which 345,118 are females and 347,800 are males.
At the close of Political Party registration, [9] registered Political Parties are eligible to contest the 2022 General Election.
They are:
All Peoples Party, FijiFirst, Fiji Labour Party, National Federation Party, New Generation Party, Social Democratic Liberal Party, The People’s Alliance, Unity Fiji and We Unity Fiji Party.
Ladies and Gentlemen, in the coming days, the Electoral Commission will issue various notices as per our responsibilities under the Electoral Act 2014.
The Electoral Commission is responsible for the conduct of free and fair elections in accordance with the laws and we will work hard to ensure that the 2022 General Election becomes the platform where all Fijians can vote with confidence, vote in safety and freedom.
Finally, I would like to wish the Fijian Elections Office all the best in their conduct of the 2022 General Election, and I urge all registered voters to please vote in the upcoming election.
Thank you.