Fiji’s election preparations have moved into a critical phase, with the training of election officials officially beginning as the country moves closer to the next general election.

Supervisor of Election, Ana Mataiciwa says the latest possible date for the issuance of the writ for the election is December 24, leaving approximately 12 to 13 weeks for preparations.

Training sessions will run from September through November, with around 720 sessions planned nationwide and about 70 field trainers have been recruited to deliver the training to election officials.

Mataiciwa says the training will focus on ensuring officials are fully familiar with the existing electoral procedures, including the use of ballot papers on polling day.

Election officials will also be provided with polling-day manuals, allowing them to refer to the procedures while carrying out their duties at polling stations.

Mataiciwa says the training is essential because it gives officials an opportunity to work through the electoral process with subject-matter experts and clarify any issues before polling day.

Meanwhile, proposed changes to electoral laws currently before the Parliamentary Standing Committee are not expected to affect the training programme or the fundamental voting process and the ballot-paper system that election officials are being trained to administer.

By: Litia Rabua