Mi au sa bula re, members of the media!
Thank you for joining us today.
The Electoral Commission has completed the barrel draw to determine the first three-digit number for the ballot paper for the upcoming General Election, in accordance with section 136(2)(c) of the Electoral Act 2014.
At its meeting on 29 October 2026, the Commission approved three possible numbers: 001, 010 and 100. It was agreed that a barrel draw would be conducted to determine which of these numbers would be selected.
For this purpose, three balls numbered 0, 0, and 1 were placed in the barrel, and the order in which they were drawn determined the final number.
I am pleased to announce that the Electoral Commission has approved ________ as the first three-digit number for the upcoming General Election.
Members of the media,
I would also like to take this opportunity to address two matters arising from the recent amendments to the Electoral Act 2014. These concern campaign-related activities by persons and organisations receiving foreign funding, and the introduction of provisions relating to centralised counting.
The Commission is aware of the concerns raised by civil society organisations, members of the legal profession and other stakeholders. We have followed these discussions closely and recognise that changes to electoral laws, particularly so close to an election, will naturally attract public scrutiny.
These are important matters, and I believe it is necessary to explain what the amendments provide and how the Commission intends to administer them.
Let me begin with section 115 of the Electoral Act 2014.
There appears to be some misunderstanding about the effect of the recent amendments, particularly whether organisations receiving foreign funding are prohibited from participating in campaign-related activities.
The amendments do not impose a blanket prohibition on such participation. In fact, they remove the previous blanket restriction and provide a framework through which individuals and organisations receiving foreign funding may undertake campaign-related activities, subject to compliance with Rules issued by the Electoral Commission.
In this regard, the Commission has approved the Campaign Related to an Election by Persons in Receipt of Foreign Funding Rules 2026, made under section 155(1) of the Electoral Act 2014.
These Rules are now in force and have been published on the Electoral Commission’s website.
I wish to draw particular attention to an important principle contained in the Rules. Civic participation, including the provision of public information and community engagement on electoral matters, is recognised as a fundamental democratic right.
The Rules expressly require that they be interpreted and applied in a manner that facilitates, rather than restricts, such participation. This is not simply a statement of intention. It is an operative provision which the Supervisor of Elections and the Commission must apply when considering applications.
The Rules provide two avenues for persons or organisations receiving foreign funding who wish to undertake campaign-related activities.
Under the first avenue, an organisation may apply to conduct campaign-related activities without using foreign funds. In such cases, the applicant must demonstrate to the Supervisor of Elections that the proposed activities will not involve foreign funding or influence.
The second avenue applies where the proposed campaign-related activity is funded, either wholly or partly, through foreign sources.
In these circumstances, the Supervisor of Elections will consider the nature and content of the proposed activity, the proportion of foreign funding involved and whether there is any indication of foreign influence relating to a particular candidate, political party or voting outcome.
The proposed campaign must also provide balanced and neutral information.
Importantly, the Rules establish timelines for decisions and provide an avenue for review.
The Supervisor of Elections must make a decision within seven days. If an applicant is dissatisfied with that decision, they may submit an application for review to the Electoral Commission within three days of the original decision. The Commission must then determine the review within a further three days.
These timelines are intended to ensure that applications are dealt with promptly and that applicants have an opportunity to seek a review of decisions affecting their proposed activities.
Another concern raised publicly relates to the duration of the campaign period.
The amendments align the application of section 115 with the campaign period, providing a consistent regulatory framework for campaign-related activities. This is separate from the announcement of the election date, which remains a matter for the Prime Minister under the relevant legal provisions.
I also wish to distinguish between campaign-related activities and voter education.
Organisations undertaking voter education activities must continue to obtain written authorisation from the Electoral Commission or the Supervisor of Elections, as required under section 115(2) of the Electoral Act 2014. This requirement has not changed.
The Commission recognises the contribution that civil society and community organisations make to public awareness and democratic participation. Their involvement is important, and these Rules provide a lawful and transparent framework for that involvement to continue.
There is one further point I wish to emphasise.
The detailed requirements governing these activities are contained in the Rules rather than in the Electoral Act itself.
This distinction is important because it allows the Commission to review and, where necessary, amend the Rules in light of practical experience, without requiring Parliament to amend the legislation.
Should the application of the Rules reveal unintended restrictions or other difficulties, the Commission has the ability to consider appropriate adjustments.
We regard that flexibility as an important responsibility and one that must be exercised carefully.
Members of the media,
I now turn to the concerns raised regarding section 89A of the Electoral Act 2014, which provides for the counting of ballot papers at centres approved by the Electoral Commission.
I have noted the joint statement issued by several civil society organisations on 9 November 2026, particularly the concerns expressed about transparency and the possible movement of ballot papers away from polling stations for counting.
I welcome the fact that these concerns have been raised publicly. Electoral processes must be open to scrutiny, and the Commission has a responsibility to explain its decisions and the arrangements that will be put in place.
Let me therefore clarify an important point.
For the upcoming General Election, ordinary ballot papers will continue to be counted at their respective polling stations.
This is the same arrangement used during the 2014, 2018 and 2022 General Elections, and there are no plans to change that practice for the next General Election.
Pre-poll and postal ballot papers will continue to be counted at a central venue, as in the previous three General Elections.
Section 89A gives the Electoral Commission the authority to approve designated counting centres. It does not, in itself, require all ballot papers to be counted centrally, nor does it automatically change the existing counting arrangements.
A corresponding provision appears in section 6(2) of the National Referendum Act 2026.
It is worth remembering that centralised counting is not a new practice in Fiji. Postal and pre-poll ballot papers have been counted centrally in the past three General Elections, using established procedures and safeguards intended to protect ballot paper security and the integrity of the counting process.
However, I recognise that the prospect of extending centralised counting arrangements raises legitimate questions, particularly about the movement, security and custody of ballot papers.
Any future decision to introduce further centralised counting arrangements would need to take account of the operational requirements and the safeguards necessary to maintain transparency and public confidence.
These include secure handling, transportation and storage of ballot boxes, a properly documented chain of custody at every stage, and continued oversight by political party and candidate polling agents and accredited observers.
The Commission will not proceed with any further centralised counting arrangement unless it is satisfied that the necessary safeguards are in place. Those arrangements must also be made publicly available so that stakeholders can understand how the process will operate.
I want to be clear that transparency in the counting process is not negotiable.
Whether ballot papers are counted at polling stations or at approved counting centres, the security of those ballot papers, the accuracy of the results and the integrity of the process must remain paramount.
These are not matters on which the Commission is prepared to compromise.
Members of the media,
As Fiji prepares for the upcoming General Election and a possible Referendum, it is understandable that amendments to electoral legislation will generate questions, differing views and public debate.
The Commission does not regard such scrutiny as unwelcome. On the contrary, informed public discussion is an important part of ensuring that our electoral processes remain accountable to the people they serve.
At the same time, these discussions must be based on what the law actually provides and how those provisions will be implemented.
I therefore encourage civil society organisations, political parties, the media and members of the public to familiarise themselves with the amended legislation and the Rules issued by the Commission.
The Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office will continue to provide clarification and engage with stakeholders wherever necessary.
We may not always agree on every aspect of electoral administration, but I believe we share a common interest in ensuring that elections in Fiji are conducted fairly, transparently and with the confidence of the Fijian people.
As an independent constitutional body, the Electoral Commission remains committed to carrying out its responsibilities without fear or favour, and in accordance with the law.
Ultimately, our responsibility is to safeguard the integrity of Fiji’s electoral process and uphold the democratic rights of all Fijians.
Vinaka vakalevu.
Thank you.