PRESS RELEASE

Review of the electoral legislation underway

Suva, 24 March 2025 – The Fiji Law Reform Commission (FLRC)  with the advice and endorsement of the Selection Panel comprising  the Electoral Commission (EC), FLRC and the Ministry for Justice, has officially appointed four Part-Time Commissioners and two legal drafters to undertake the review of the key Election Legislation, marking a significant step in the electoral reform process.

The review focuses on the three key pieces of legislation:

1. The Electoral Act 2014
2. The Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012
3. The Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding & Disclosures) Act 2013

The calls for electoral reform were  made after the 2022 General Elections following  widespread criticism of the election legislation framework. It was considered by  many people, including independent observers, academics and  political parties as having undemocratic, cumbersome and  punitive aspects.

Subsequently, following Cabinet’s decision of 18th February 2025, the Minister for Justice in consultation with the Attorney General endorsed FLRC’s leadership of the review process. An Expression of Interest (EOI) was widely advertised via newspapers and online media portals. A total of 16 applications were received on time, whilst two applications were received after the due date of 28 February 2025.

An exhaustive selection process based on the three (3) priority criteria as listed in the TOR were

1. Solid legal background
2. Extensive knowledge of electoral laws/systems including those in Fiji
3. Solid legislative drafting experience

To ensure a competency driven approach and impartiality, political affiliations, age, gender and identity demographics  were not considered in the selection process. Applicants were assessed on their knowledge, experience, skills and competency to effectively manage and perform the tasks as laid out in the endorsed advertised TOR.

On Thursday, 20 March 2025, four individuals were appointed as Part-Time Commissioners, while one was selected as legislative drafter. With the appointments finalized, FLRC is set to commence public and stakeholder consultations to gather input on the proposed electoral reforms.

The PT Commissioners appointed are:

1.Former CJ and Jurist, Mr Daniel Fatiaki (Chair of the PT Commissioners)

2. Prof Wadan Narsey, Elections Systems Educator and Economist
3. Ms Deidre Brooks, Legal Practitioner
4. Ms Seini Nabou, Election Legislation Systems Communicator

The Ministry for Justice, the Attorney General Chambers and the EC is confident that the Election Review exercise will  propel the policies of the  Coalition government to  deliver on the promise of democracy, and that is to not only to recognize the dignity and worth of every individual, but to produce freer, fairer, and a more just electoral system.

The PT commissioners having signed their contracts, begun their work on Thursday 20th March 2025.

The Ministry of Justice remains committed to ensuring a transparent, inclusive, timely and consultative process in reviewing Fiji’s election laws to enhance democracy and governance in the country.