The Minister for Local Government, Macia Nalusima, has announced the plans for reinstating democratically elected municipal councils in Fiji, marking a significant step after a two-decade hiatus. Speaking at a CEO Forum in Suva, Nalusima revealed that voter registration is set to commence in April, although the specific date for elections has not yet been disclosed.
As part of the preparation, the Fijian Elections Office is scheduled to begin voter education initiatives in mid-March, which will lay the groundwork for the registration process. Nalusima emphasized the importance of this undertaking, stating, “This is a critical year,” and underscoring that the local government elections represent more than just an event—they signify a restoration of democratic governance at the local level.
The minister called on municipal councils to play an active role in facilitating this process, urging them to provide logistical support, disseminate information, and engage with the communities effectively. This collaboration should involve coordination with divisional commissioners and district officers to ensure a smooth electoral process.
In addition to laying out these plans, Nalusima highlighted the need for enhanced performance monitoring of council chief executive officers. He called for improvements in customer service responsiveness, stricter enforcement of waste and development regulations, clean procurement practices, and timely reporting.
Despite the excitement surrounding the preparations, there remains uncertainty regarding the exact timeline for when the elections will take place, after more than 21 years without elected councils. However, the commitment to restoring local governance is a hopeful sign for many citizens looking to regain a say in their communities.