Electoral Commission (Fiji)

Last updated
Electoral Commission
Agency overview
FormedJanuary 2014 (2014-01)
Jurisdiction Fiji
Headquarters Suva
Agency executive
Website electoralcommission.org.fj

The Electoral Commission is an independent statutory body responsible for conducting elections in Fiji. It is also responsible for registering Fijian voters, political parties and candidates for elections.

Contents

History

The Electoral Commission was established in 1970 when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom. The Commission was led by a chairman appointed by the Governor-General of Fiji at the advice of the Prime Minister. Additionally, a minimum of two and a maximum of four members of the Commission were also appointed by the Governor-General. The Commission was mainly responsible for conducting elections for members of the House of Representatives. [1]

Following the 1987 Fijian coups d'état, the 1970 Constitution was abrogated [2] and the Commission was re-established by the 1990 Constitution of Fiji. [3] However, a constitutional review in 1995 saw the establishment of the 1997 Constitution of Fiji passed by both chambers of Parliament. The Commission remained and continued in existence. [4] The 2006 Fijian coup d'etat resulted in the abrogation of the 1997 constitution and the interim military government issued the State Services Decree 2009 with section 4(1) of the decree establishing the Commission. [5]

Since taking power, the interim military government on 24 May 2007 appointed new members of the Electoral Commission. The appointment was made through a proclamation issued by President Josefa Iloilo. Mohammed Sahu Khan was appointed as chairman along with three other members. [6] The Commission rejected claims made by opposition parties of being "pro-interim regime." [7]

In 2008, the interim government affirmed its commitment to hold general elections in 2009. [8] Later in May, the Commission reaffirmed that commitment [9] However in July 2008, the Commission confirmed that elections will not go as planned unless changes have been made to the electoral system. [10] Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama stated that it does not matter if the changes takes five to ten years. [11]

On 6 September 2013, the country's fourth constitution came into effect. [12] The Electoral Commission was reformed and consisted of seven members led by Chen Bunn Young. [13] The Commission conducted the 2014 Fijian general election under the new constitution; Frank Bainimarama won the election. The opposition parties refused to accept the results and called on the Commission to suspend all counting alleging voter fraud. [14] The Commission ultimately dismissed all claims. [15]

Functions

The functions of the electoral commission according to the Electoral Act 2014: [16]

Members

According to the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, the Electoral Commission is composed of a chairperson who also qualifies to be a Judge and six other members. They are all appointed by the President of Fiji at the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission. The Supervisor of Elections serves as the secretary to the Commission. [17]

The current members of the Electoral Commission are: [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Fiji</span>

The politics of Fiji take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic. Fiji has a multiparty system with the Prime Minister of Fiji as head of government. The executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Fiji. The judiciary is mostly independent of the executive and the legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahendra Chaudhry</span> Fijian politician (born 1942)

Mahendra Pal Chaudhry is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Following a historic election in which he defeated the long-time former leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, the former trade union leader became Fiji's first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister on 19 May 1999, but exactly one year later, on 19 May 2000 he and most of his Cabinet were taken hostage by coup leader George Speight, in the Fiji coup of 2000. Unable to exercise his duties, he and his ministers were sacked by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara on 27 May; Mara intended to assume emergency powers himself but was himself deposed by the military leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Fiji</span> Head of the government of Fiji

The prime minister of Fiji is the head of government of the Republic of Fiji. The prime minister is appointed under the terms of the 2013 Constitution. The prime minister is the head of the Cabinet and appoints and dismisses ministers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Council of Chiefs</span> 1876–2012 & 2023– Fijian constitutional body

The Great Council of Chiefs is a Fijian constitutional body. It previously existed from 1876 to March 2012 and was re-established in May 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sitiveni Rabuka</span> Prime Minister of Fiji from 1992 to 1999 and since 2022

Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka is a Fijian politician, former soldier and former sportsman who has served as Prime Minister of Fiji since 24 December 2022. He was the instigator of two military coups in 1987. He was democratically elected as Prime Minister of Fiji, serving from 1992 to 1999, and again in 2022, leading a three-party coalition. He also served as Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs from 1999 to 2001, and later as Chairman of the Cakaudrove Provincial Council from 2001 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Bainimarama</span> Prime Minister of Fiji from 2007 to 2022

Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama is a Fijian politician and former naval officer who served as the prime minister of Fiji from 2007 until 2022. A member of the FijiFirst party, which he founded in 2014, he began his career as an officer in the Fijian navy and commander of the Fijian military. Despite being suspended from Parliament, he served as the opposition leader from 24 December 2022 until 8 March 2023, when he resigned and was replaced by Inia Seruiratu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Fiji</span> National legislature of the Republic of Fiji

The Parliament of the Republic of Fiji is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Fiji. It consists of 55 members elected every 4 years using open list proportional representation in one multi-member nationwide constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Fijian coup d'état</span> Coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry

The Fiji coup d'état of 2000 was a civilian coup d'état by hardline i-Taukei nationalists against the elected government of an Indo-Fijian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry on 19 May 2000. This was followed by an attempt on 27 May by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to assert executive authority, and then by a military coup on 29 May by Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama. The coups resulted in the removal of the elected government and its replacement by an interim regime headed by Josefa Iloilo. In March 2001 the Court of Appeal of Fiji ruled that the coups and interim regime were illegal. An elected government was finally restored by the 2001 Fijian general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poseci Bune</span> Fijian civil servant, diplomat, politician and minister (1946–2023)

Poseci Waqalevu Bune was a Fijian civil servant, diplomat, politician and Cabinet Minister. He served as chair of the Public Service Commissioner, secretary to the Prime Minister, and as Fiji's permanent representative to the United Nations, as well as a Cabinet Minister in the governments of Mahendra Chaudhry and Laisenia Qarase, and in the military regime of Frank Bainimarama. Bune died of prostate cancer on 22 November 2023, at the age of 77.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiko Luveni</span> Fijian politician

Jiko Fatafehi Luveni was a Fijian politician and Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji. She was a member of the FijiFirst party before resigning her party membership in order to take up the position of Speaker. This was because the Fijian Speaker is not a Member of Parliament and cannot be a member of a political party pursuant to section 77(1)(a) and section 77(7)(b)(ii) of the Fijian Constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Fijian coup d'état</span> Coup that overthrew civilian government and made Bainimarama acting Prime Minister

The Fijian coup d'état of December 2006 was a coup d'état in Fiji carried out by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), against Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and President Josefa Iloilo. It was the culmination of a political crisis that started the previous year, when the Qarase government introduced three bills to the Fijian Parliament. The Qoliqoli, Land Tribunal, and Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bills dealt with the ongoing ethnic conflicts in Fiji and the aftermath of the 2000 coup, and were considered to be pro-ethnic Fijian. Bainimarama presented the government with a list of demands on October 16 that included withdrawing the bills. Attempts at negotiation failed and the military launched the coup on 4 December. Parliament was dissolved, Qarase and his cabinet were dismissed, and some civilian officials were placed under house arrest. After the Great Council of Chiefs refused to appoint a cabinet friendly to the military, Bainimarama reached an understanding with Iloilo and reinstated him as President on 4 January 2007. Iloilo then appointed Bainimarama acting Prime Minister in charge of the Interim Cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Fijian general election</span>

General elections were held in Fiji on 17 September 2014 to select the 50 members of Parliament. The FijiFirst party, led by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, won a landslide victory, winning 32 of the 50 seats. The Social Democratic Liberal Party and the National Federation Party were the only other two parties to cross the 5% electoral threshold and win seats.

Adi Litia Qionibaravi is a Fijian chief and former civil servant and member of the Parliament of Fiji. She is a member of the Social Democratic Liberal Party.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is a Fijian politician and a former cabinet minister. He was the Fijian attorney general and the Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications, and also served as the minister responsible for climate change under the FijiFirst government. He is the third-highest polling candidate from the Fijian general elections of 2014, 2018 and 2022.

In April 2009, Fiji underwent a constitutional crisis when the Court of Appeal ruled that the 2006 Fijian coup d'état had been illegal. The Court dismissed the Interim Cabinet led by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama that had governed Fiji since the coup. However, President Josefa Iloilo announced on a nationwide radio broadcast that he was abrogating the Constitution. He dismissed all judges and constitutional appointees, and reinstated Bainimarama and his cabinet. He also instituted emergency rule which increased police powers and allowed media censorship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social Democratic Liberal Party</span> Political party in Fiji

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is a Fijian political party. The party was formed in January 2013 after the dissolution of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua. The party currently has no party leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Constitution of Fiji</span> Fourth constitution of Fiji that came into effect in 2013

Fiji's fourth constitution, the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, was signed into law by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on 6 September 2013, coming into effect immediately. It is the first to eliminate race-based electoral rolls, race-based seat quotas, district-based representation, the unelected upper chamber, and the role of the hereditary Council of Chiefs. It vests sole legislative authority in a single-chamber, 50-seat, at-large Parliament, to be first convened following general elections in 2014. It is also the first ever to grant the right to multiple citizenship, and lowers the voting age to 18.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Fijian general election</span>

General elections were held in Fiji on 14 December 2022 to elect the 55 members of Parliament. The elections took place following the passage of controversial electoral amendments.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is a statutory agency in Fiji within the Ministry of Civil Service that is responsible for overseeing standards of all civil servants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitutional Offices Commission (Fiji)</span>

The Constitutional Offices Commission is an advisory body that is responsible for providing advice to the President of Fiji for the appointment of key officials within public offices in Fiji.

References

  1. ↑ "1970 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Government of Fiji. pp. 47–48. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2023– via Constitution Net.
  2. ↑ "FIJI COUP LEADER DECLARES REPUBLIC". The New York Times . 7 October 1987. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  3. ↑ "Constitution of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji (Promulgation) Decree 1990" (PDF). Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Constitution (Amendment) Act 1997" (PDF). PACLII. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  5. ↑ "State Services Decree 2009" (PDF). Fijian Government. pp. 24–25. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023– via PACLII.
  6. ↑ "Fiji beats deadline to appoint electoral commission". RNZ. 25 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Rabuka rebuffed over Fiji electoral commission comment". RNZ. 28 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  8. ↑ "Fiji interim regime reffirms 2009 election plan". RNZ. 6 February 2008. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  9. ↑ "Fiji's Electoral Commission says elections will take place". RNZ. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  10. ↑ "Fiji Electoral Commission confirms poll delays". RNZ. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "Fiji's interim PM speaks of elections in possibly 5 or 10 years". RNZ. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "President signs long-awaited Fiji constitution into law". ABC News. 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Fiji announces seven-member Electoral Commission". RNZ. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "Fiji political parties refuse to accept poll results". RNZ. 18 September 2014. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  15. ↑ "Fiji election fraud dismissed but protest continues". RNZ. 21 September 2014. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "Electoral Act 2014" (PDF). Fijian Government. p. 232. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023– via Fijian Elections Office.
  17. ↑ "2013 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Fijian Government. p. 30. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023– via Constitute Project.
  18. ↑ "The Electoral Commission – The Electoral Commission Fiji". Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.