Latest Voter Statistics revealed
s at 30 June, 2021, a total of 651,168 Fijians are currently registered on the National Register of Voters [NRV] with the numbers projected to increase as we approach the 2022 General Election.
This article attempts to explain the trends in the Voter Registration as well as provide some detailed statistics in terms of registered voters in Fiji.
Voter Registration Trends in 2021 Due to the lockdowns and limitations presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have observed a lower than usual registration rate of newly eligible Fijians in the first six months of this year.
This was a direct result of the Voter Services Centres [VSC] closing down as a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the two (2) Tropical Cyclones, Yasa and Ana. The Labasa VSC was closed for 10 weeks from 1 February 2021 till 9 April 2021 while the Lautoka VSC was closed for 18 weeks from April 19, 2021 and opened on August 20, 2021. The Suva VSC was also closed for 16 weeks from April 26, 2021 and just opened on August 13, 2021 on a strictly booking based entry system limited to up to 40 customers per day.
The Suva, Lautoka and Labasa VSCs recorded a total of 10,389 engagements as at June 30 2021. This included 2,884 new registrations, 1306 VoterCard replacements and 6177 corrections.
Currently, there are 325,970 males (50.06 per cent) and 325,198 (49.94 per cent) females registered on the NRV. The gender breakdown by percentage is nearly half and half which is a good sign considering the international standards.
Compared to the data as at December 31, 2020, the increase in total voter numbers is 1087. In terms of registration of female voters, there was an increase by 1044 which is about 0.32 per cent. For males, there was an increase of 43 in the voter numbers which is 0.01 per cent.
For the Divisional breakdown, the Central Division currently has the largest number of registered voters, making up 42.39 per cent of the NRV, followed by the Western Division at 37.90 per cent. The Northern Division makes up 14.71 per cent of the NRV while the Eastern Division makes up almost 4 per cent (see second graph).
The increase in the voter numbers does not indicate new registrations alone as the numbers are reached following the adjudication and data cleaning exercise.
The ‘notification of deceased voter’ form that was released by the FEO in 2016 has proven to be a very useful mechanism to remove persons who are deceased from the NRV. It is hoped that more and more people take advantage of this form and report to the FEO of the passing of their kin. The FEO does not remove a person from the NRV simply upon finding that the person is recorded as deceased at the Births, Deaths & Marriages Registry.
A second confirmatory verification is done before the removal.
Overall Voter Statistics 2017 – 2021
When it comes to the NRV, it is very important to note the trends. There has been a steady rise in the total number of registered voters since 2017. At roughly six months, the increase is around 6000 voters.
Overall Voter Statistics by Division Similar to the national trends, the four (4) divisions also had a steady increase in voter numbers since 2017. The trends (shown on third graph) should assist any voter or individual to effectively dispel any rumours or suggestions of sudden mass registration or inflation of the NRV.
Projections
Looking at the overall voter statistics, if we compare from 2017 till June 30, 2021, there is a gradual increase in voters which is also indicated on the graph. Same can be said for the trend by divisions, when we compare the data from 2017 till 30 June 2021, there is a gradual increase in Central, Western and Northern Division.
However, for the Eastern Division there is a very slight increase in the voter numbers. The total registered voter’s projection for the 2022 General Election, is 670,000 as projected earlier and we have as at June 30, 2021, 651,168 voters.
The increase is reflected by the number of registrations that we do at our VSCs only and based on the graphs, we can project that the number will further increase when we go for the Nationwide Voter Registration Drive.