Visual Impaired Man And Long Travelling Siblings Do All They Can To Cast Votes
Avisually impaired man is grateful to the Fijian Elections Office for assisting him in casting his vote. Niumaia Laivai was able to make his vote count during pre-poll in Raviravi, Seaqaqa on Thursday.
The 65-year-old who lost his vision in 2002, had high hopes about casting his ballot this year.
“I’m really grateful to the Fijian Elections Office for coming right to my house to help me with the voting,” he said. “It gets very difficult because I can’t see a thing.
“I voted last time and I did not want to miss this time at any cost. I know the importance it plays in each of our lives.”
In Korotolutolu, first time voter Timoci Ramototabua and his sister Senimeli Raravitu had to walk for almost three hours to cast their votes after they missed their transport on Thursday.
The pair had to walk from Korotolutolu to Raviravi for pre-poll.
“It was the first time for me to vote and I did not want to miss out on it at any cost,” he said.
Their mother, Arieta Vani, 44, said that she arrived at the village on Tuesday and expected her children to arrive later. As polling was about to end, Ms Vani looked for her son and daughter, who had still not arrived.
“I got worried about them because I really want them to vote,” she said.
With 20 minutes left before polling closed, Ms Vani told the presiding elections officer that her children were still on their way. She was relieved when they arrived in time.
“I could see both of them were really tired after walking for so long but I’m glad they did not miss out,” she said.