Dialogue Fiji has voiced significant concern regarding the discontinuation of the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) mobile application, labeling the move as a “regrettable and backward step” for election transparency, innovation, and public access to reliable information. The organization recognized the app as one of the most innovative electoral tools in the Pacific, offering citizens, researchers, and stakeholders real-time results, historical election data, and an interactive D’Hondt seat allocation calculator.
Nilesh Lal, the Executive Director of Dialogue Fiji, stated, “The FEO app was a model of innovation in election management and a symbol of progress in data transparency.” He expressed disappointment at the decision to remove the app, calling it one of the most regressive developments in Fiji’s electoral landscape. Lal emphasized that the app significantly enhanced researchers’ and analysts’ abilities to study electoral patterns through detailed data, which is now at risk of being inaccessible.
He highlighted the potential consequences of eliminating such a tool, warning that without an official source for live election results, the door may open for misinformation to proliferate during elections. “Without a credible, authoritative source of live results, people will begin posting fabricated figures online, eroding trust in the electoral process,” he noted, stressing the importance of accurate communication.
Despite acknowledging that the app had encountered technical problems on election night, Lal criticized the decision to discard it rather than focus on fixing the issues. “Educate users, fix bugs, strengthen the platform — but don’t dismantle it,” he urged.
In light of these concerns, Dialogue Fiji has communicated with the Supervisor of Elections, urging a reconsideration of the decision to remove the app. The organization advocates for advancements in innovation, openness, and transparency, aiming to fortify public trust and engagement in the electoral process.
Similarly, earlier discussions from political leaders and stakeholders, including Opposition Member Premila Kumar, have echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the app’s role in fostering democracy and trust through real-time updates. As Fiji prepares for its next electoral cycle, the removal of such innovative tools poses a challenge to achieving a transparent electoral environment and mitigating the risks of misinformation. Yet, there’s hope that by addressing these issues and focusing on improvements, Fiji can create a more robust and trustworthy electoral framework that reinforces public confidence in its democratic processes.