The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) has defended the integrity of Fiji’s electoral processes, assuring the public that the National Register of Voters is maintained in strict compliance with the country’s electoral laws.
In a statement, the FEO said it welcomed public scrutiny and informed discussion on electoral matters but stressed that claims about the voter register and other electoral processes must be based on credible evidence rather than assumptions or misinformation.
The Office said it had noted the circulation of false and misleading information relating to the National Register of Voters and other aspects of the electoral system.
The FEO warned that where necessary, it would consider invoking Section 144A(1) of the Electoral Act 2014, which prohibits the publication of information that is known, or reasonably believed, to be false and likely to influence the outcome of an election or undermine public confidence in the Supervisor of Elections or the Electoral Commission.
Under the Act, anyone found guilty of breaching the provision faces a fine of up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
The FEO said voter registration is conducted in person using prescribed identification requirements and that the National Register of Voters is continuously updated through registration and voter update services, nationwide and overseas registration drives, and regular data-cleaning exercises.
It said these exercises are carried out in collaboration with agencies...
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